UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number		811-21471

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Nuveen Investments

333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606

 

(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip code)

Kevin J. McCarthy

Nuveen Investments

333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606

 

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   (312) 917-7700                    

Date of fiscal year end:   December 31                       

Date of reporting period:   June 30, 2015                    

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policy making roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. ss.3507.

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ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.

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Closed-End Funds

 

		Nuveen Investments
		Closed-End Funds

 

 

 

 

						Semi-Annual Report  June 30, 2015
JTA
Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund

 

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Life is Complex

Nuveen makes things e-simple.   It only takes a minute to sign up for e-Reports. Once enrolled, you’ll receive an e-mail as soon as your Nuveen Investments Fund information is ready – no more waiting for delivery by regular mail. Just click on the link within the e-mail to see the report and save it on your computer if you wish.

 

 

 

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Table

of Contents

 

Chairman’s Letter to Shareholders			4
Portfolio Managers’ Comments			5
Fund Leverage			9
Common Share Information			10
Risk Considerations			12
Performance Overview and Holding Summaries			13
Shareholder Meeting Report			15
Portfolio of Investments			16
Statement of Assets and Liabilities			25
Statement of Operations			26
Statement of Changes in Net Assets			27
Statement of Cash Flows			28
Financial Highlights			30
Notes to Financial Statements			32
Additional Fund Information			43
Glossary of Terms Used in this Report			44
Reinvest Automatically, Easily and Conveniently			45
Annual Investment Management Agreement Approval Process			46

 

Nuveen Investments			3

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Chairman’s Letter

to Shareholders

 

 

	4			Nuveen Investments

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Portfolio Managers’

Comments

 

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund (JTA)

The Fund features portfolio management by two affiliates of Nuveen Investments, Inc. The Fund’s investments in dividend-paying common and preferred stocks and call options written are managed by NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC (NWQ), while the Fund’s investments in senior corporate loans and other debt instruments are managed by Symphony Asset Management LLC (Symphony). James T. Stephenson, CFA, Managing Director of NWQ, along with Thomas J. Ray, CFA, and Susi Budiman, CFA, manage the NWQ portion of the Fund. Effective January 6, 2015, Thomas J. Ray succeeds Michael J. Carne, CFA, who is no longer with the firm. The Symphony team is led by Gunther Stein, who serves as the firm’s Chief Investment Officer and Chief Executive Officer.

Effective January 30, 2015, the following changes were made to the Fund:

The Fund’s investment objective is high after-tax total return, consisting primarily of tax-advantaged dividend income and capital appreciation. The Fund constructs its portfolio by allocating approximately 80% of its managed assets to a global equity income strategy and approximately 20% of its managed assets to an adjustable rate senior loan strategy. If the allocation varies outside a defined range, the Fund will rebalance the allocation. Over time, the Fund may change the target allocation. Each strategy is managed by a separate, specialized sub-adviser:

 

1)

Global Equity Income: a globally diversified portfolio focused on tax-advantaged income-producing and dividend-paying equity and preferred securities, sub-advised by NWQ;

 

2)

Adjustable Rate Senior Loans: an adjustable rate senior loan portfolio strategy, sub-advised by Symphony.

New investment policies that apply overall to the Fund as a whole:

 

•

At least 60% of the Fund’s managed assets will be invested in tax-advantaged income-producing equity securities, including dividend received deductions (DRD) preferred securities;

 

•

The Fund has greater flexibility to invest (up to 70% of the Fund’s managed assets) in non-U.S. issues of any currency;

 

•

The Fund has greater flexibility to invest (up to 20% of the Fund’s managed assets) in securities of issuers of emerging market countries; and

 

•

The Fund has flexibility to use derivatives both for hedging purposes and to enhance risk-adjusted returns, including writing (selling) covered options.

 

 

Certain statements in this report are forward-looking statements. Discussions of specific investments are for illustration only and are not intended as recommendations of individual investments. The forward-looking statements and other views expressed herein are those of the portfolio managers as of the date of this report. Actual future results or occurrences may differ significantly from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements and the views expressed herein are subject to change at any time, due to numerous market and other factors.

The Fund disclaims any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or views expressed herein.

Ratings shown are the highest rating given by one of the following national rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s (S&P), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s) or Fitch, Inc. (Fitch). Credit ratings are subject to change. AAA, AA, A and BBB are investment grade ratings; BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D are below investment grade ratings. Certain bonds backed by U.S. Government or agency securities are regarded as having an implied rating equal to the rating of such securities. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by these national rating agencies.

Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for further definition of the terms used within this section.

 

Nuveen Investments			5

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Portfolio Managers’ Comments (continued)

 

New investment policies that apply only to the Global Equity Income strategy portion of JTA:

 

•

The Global Equity Income strategy may invest in common stocks, preferred securities, convertible securities, convertible preferred securities, real estate investment trusts (REITs), master limited partnerships (MLPs), and debt; and

 

•

The Fund’s policies regarding credit ratings as they apply to the equity securities in the Global Equity Income strategy portion of the Fund have been eliminated.

Here Jim, Thomas, Susi and Gunther discuss their management strategies and the performance of the Fund for the six-month reporting period ended June 30, 2015.

What key strategies were used to manage the Fund during this six-month reporting period ended June 30, 2015?

The Fund is designed to seek a high level of after-tax total return consisting primarily of tax-advantaged dividend income and capital appreciation. In an effort to achieve this, the Fund invests at least 60% in common stocks whose dividends may be eligible for favorable income tax treatment. The Fund also invests to a more limited extent in preferred stocks, which can range from a minimum of 5% to a maximum of 20%, that are eligible to pay tax-advantaged dividends, as well as 20% in senior loans and other debt instruments.

NWQ Key Strategies

For the common and preferred equity portion of the Fund’s portfolio, NWQ continued to employ an opportunistic, bottom-up strategy that focused on identifying undervalued companies possessing favorable risk/reward characteristics as well as what it thought were emerging catalysts that could unlock value or improve profitability. These catalysts included management changes, restructuring efforts, recognition of hidden assets and/or a positive change in the underlying fundamentals. We also focused on downside risk management and paid a great deal of attention to a company’s balance sheet and cash flow statement, not just the income statement. We believed that cash flow analysis offered a more objective picture of a company’s financial position than an evaluation based on earnings alone.

As mentioned previously, on January 30^th the Board of Trustees approved changes to the Fund’s investment policy. The parameters used to manage the equity income portion of the Fund were expanded to allow greater flexibility to invest in non-U.S. securities. Under this global equity income strategy managed by NWQ, up to 70% of the Fund’s managed assets can be invested in non-U.S. issues of any currency, including up to 20% in emerging market countries. JTA’s investment objective will remain high after-tax total return, consisting primarily of tax-advantaged dividend income and capital appreciation. The Fund will continue to focus on obtaining a dividend yield at least 100 basis points above the MSCI World Index and employ a value based approach in our bottom up analysis. We look for attractive absolute valuation, positive risk/reward with downside risk management and catalysts that can drive a positive revaluation of our companies.

For the preferred securities portion of the Fund’s portfolio, we review the specific characteristics of the preferred stocks available for investment and evaluate the effect on holding such an investment. These characteristics might include price, yield, issuer, rating, liquidity premium/discount and any other potential issues that can affect the value of the position. Additionally, because the preferred market is concentrated both by issuer and industry, attention is focused on the diversification of the Fund.

Symphony Key Strategies

In the senior loan and other debt portion of the Fund’s portfolio, Symphony continued to manage and monitor senior loan market risks. The overall macroeconomic backdrop during the reporting period remained supportive of the leveraged loan asset class. The Fund’s capital remained invested in issuers with strong credit profiles among non-investment grade debt, while offering attractive current income and yield. Fundamentally, Symphony feels that many of these companies have stable businesses, good asset coverage for senior debt holders and could perform well in a stable to slow growth environment.

 

	6			Nuveen Investments

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How did the Fund perform during this six-month reporting period ended June 30, 2015?

The table in the Performance Overview and Holding Summaries section of this report provides total returns for the six-month, one-year, five-year and ten-year periods ended June 30, 2015. The Fund’s total returns at net asset value (NAV) are compared with the performance of a corresponding market index. For the six-month reporting period ended June 30, 2015, the Fund’s common share at NAV outperformed its Blended Benchmark and the S&P 500^® Index.

NWQ

For the equity portion of the Fund managed by NWQ, from a geographical perspective, the Fund’s investments in Europe have begun to pay off in 2015. German and Swiss companies have been our leaders. The Swiss dropping the peg with the euro has strengthened that currency and led to gains. We have limited exposure to commodity driven economies and emerging markets, which has helped relative performance. An underweight in Japan hurt during the reporting period, although positive stock selection has made it more neutral.

From an industry perspective, our significant investments in the financials sector were a slight negative relative to the benchmark, although positive on an absolute basis. We believe the financials sector represents the sector with the best opportunity to find undervalued stocks with positive risk/rewards. We also believe the emerging capital return opportunity and improving business fundamentals will continue to drive a positive revaluation in the sector. We remain optimistic and overweight in the sector.

We also benefited from an underweight in several sectors that continued to lag. We have been negative on the prospects in the commodity belt given a lack of growth from emerging markets, which drove much of the incremental demand in the last decade and the supply response, which we have found to be more than adequate. We have had positive performance in the materials sector where several of our holdings have seen lower feedstock prices and are generating strong returns. In the energy sector we have been defensive with integrated and oil refiners. Unfortunately, we still managed to have negative performance although less than our Blended Benchmark.

We had the opposite impact in the health care sector as an overweight position and positive performance within the sector has helped. Our holdings have been focused on pharmaceuticals with strong prospects and attractive valuations and dividends. The Blended Benchmark has benefited from a significant weight in higher valued and faster growing biotech companies.

Those holdings that positively contributed to performance included Avery Dennison Corporation, a provider of pressure sensitive materials and radio frequency identification inlays for apparel manufactures which outperformed given strong fundamentals, including healthy organic growth and productivity improvement. The company is also well positioned to benefit from incremental operating leverage as the European economic recovery unfolds.

ING Groep N.V. performed well on the prospects of a recovery in bank earnings due to the growing European recovery, positive impact of quantitative easing and a weaker euro play out. Investors have also been supportive of the company’s high capital return potential as management plans to gradually sell down its stake in NN Group and return cash to shareholders. The divestiture of this insurance holding should be the final step of the company’s transformation from a financial conglomerate to banking with a European retail focus.

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) performed well as the Japanese wireless market has remained disciplined among the three main players. NTT has also shown improved cost discipline and continued strong capital return. The new Hikari Collaboration Model will allow for bundling in the Japanese market which could further reduce churn and improve returns. We remain optimistic on NTT’s prospects.

Those positions that detracted from performance included Ericsson, whose stock declined given limited visibility and uncertainty in capital spending by telcom carriers in both North America and Asia. We continue to believe that Ericsson

 

Nuveen Investments			7

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Portfolio Managers’ Comments (continued)

 

sits squarely in the middle of a global trend to consume ever increasing amounts of voice and data via mobile devices. The stock has performed quite well since our original purchase, and we continue to believe there is additional upside.

Royal Dutch Shell PLC was a poor performer as energy prices were extremely weak during the reporting period. The company has been slow to adjust their cost structure to the new environment, which hurt the stock price. Royal Dutch is integrated and diversified and sells at a much lower valuation than its peers. We continue to own a smaller position in the Fund.

Viacom Inc. has been a weak performer in the media sector. Ratings have been weak for many cable channels, particularly in the younger children market, which has impacted Nickelodeon. Some of the weakness is due to measurement issues that should abate as methods adapt to measuring time shift and digital viewing. The remainder has been a lack of strong programming on Viacom’s channels. Concerns over affiliate deals have also hurt. As deals get renewed over the next year, we believe prospects for Viacom could improve.

Our preferred stock banking holdings also contributed to performance and included such names City National Corporation, Fifth Third Bancorp., JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Morgan Stanley. These positions were supported by several technical and structural factors. Redemption of currently callable $25- and $1000- par bank preferred issues and the net supply in the preferred space have provided favorable technical support for bank preferreds during the reporting period.

Our overweight in the insurance sector detracted from performance. Specific holdings that detracted were the preferred stock holdings of Arch Capital Group Limited and Axis Capital Holdings Limited. Also detracting was our industrial holding in Teekay Offshore Partners LP, an international provider of marine transportation, oil production and storage services to the offshore oil industry.

The Fund also wrote call options on individual stocks, while investing in these same stocks, to enhance returns while foregoing some upside potential. The effect on performance for the period was modestly positive.

Symphony

The senior loan and other debt instruments portion of the Fund’s portfolio, managed by Symphony, contributed to total return performance during the reporting period. Our holdings in the media, hotel, restaurants and leisure, as well as food and staples retailing industries were top contributors to performance. Overall, all industry sectors positively contributed to performance with the exception of the health care providers & services industry.

The Fund’s position in the term loans of US Foods, Inc. and Albertson’s LLC contributed to the performance. Symphony believes the food and drug sector has historically been more defensive during periods of volatility and believes these loans offer an attractive coupon relative to the rest of the sector and broad market. Both the sector and the companies have performed well, and we anticipate the loans will continue to be a core position in the Fund’s portfolio in the near term. Also contributing to performance was the term loan of Univision Communications, Inc., a Spanish-language broadcaster.

Specific holdings that detracted from performance include positions in Millennium Laboratories, a health care service company. Also detracting marginally from performance was the Tribune Company’s post reorganization equity. The Tribune Company, through its auxiliaries, operates as a media and entertainment company. In August 2014, Tribune split its media and publishing businesses into two separate units. Since the split, the value of Tribune Media’s post reorganization equity has come under pressure. Solid first quarter 2015 earnings coupled with the announcement that it intends to pay regular quarterly cash dividends starting in the second fiscal quarter of 2015, has helped the price stabilize.

 

	8			Nuveen Investments

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Fund

Leverage

 

IMPACT OF THE FUND’S LEVERAGE STRATEGY ON PERFORMANCE

One important factor impacting the return of the Fund relative to its benchmarks was the Fund’s use of leverage through the use of bank borrowings. The Fund uses leverage because our research has shown that, over time, leveraging provides opportunities for additional income and total return for common shareholders. However, use of leverage also can expose common shareholders to additional volatility. For example, as the prices of securities held by the Fund decline, the negative impact of these valuation changes on common share NAV and common shareholder total return is magnified by the use of leverage. Conversely, leverage may enhance common share returns during periods when the prices of securities held by the Fund generally are rising. The Fund’s use of leverage had a positive impact on performance during this reporting period.

The Fund also continued to use swap contracts to partially fix the interest cost of leverage, which as mentioned previously, the Fund uses through bank borrowings. The swap contracts impact on performance was modestly negative during this reporting period.

As of June 30, 2015, the Fund’s percentages of leverage are as shown in the accompanying table.

 

		JTA
Effective Leverage*			31.13	%
Regulatory Leverage*			31.13	%

*

Effective leverage is the Fund’s effective economic leverage, and includes both regulatory leverage and the leverage effects of certain derivative and other investments in a Fund’s portfolio that increase the Fund’s investment exposure. Regulatory leverage consists of preferred shares issued or borrowings of the Fund. Both of these are part of the Fund’s capital structure. Regulatory leverage is subject to asset coverage limits set forth in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

THE FUND’S REGULATORY LEVERAGE

Bank Borrowings

The Fund employs regulatory leverage through the use of bank borrowings. As of June 30, 2015, the Fund had outstanding bank borrowings of $89,400,000.

Refer to Notes to Financial Statements, Note 9 – Borrowing Arrangements for further details.

 

Nuveen Investments			9

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Common Share

Information

 

DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION

The following information regarding the Fund’s distributions is current as of May 31, 2015, the date of the distribution data included within the Fund’s most recent distribution notice at the time this report was prepared. The Fund’s distribution level may vary over time based on the Fund’s investment activities and portfolio investment value changes.

The Fund has adopted a managed distribution program. The goal of the Fund’s managed distribution program is to provide shareholders relatively consistent and predictable cash flow by systematically converting its expected long-term return potential into regular distributions. As a result, regular distributions throughout the year will likely include a portion of expected long-term and/or short-term gains (both realized and unrealized), along with net investment income. Important points to understand about Nuveen fund managed distributions are:

 

•

The Fund seeks to establish a relatively stable common share distribution rate that roughly corresponds to the projected total return from its investment strategy over an extended period of time. However, you should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s past or future investment performance from its current distribution rate.

 

•

Actual common share returns will differ from projected long-term returns (and therefore the Fund’s distribution rate), at least over shorter time periods. Over a specific timeframe, the difference between actual returns and total distributions will be reflected in an increasing (returns exceed distributions) or a decreasing (distributions exceed returns) Fund net asset value.

 

•

Each period’s distributions are expected to be paid from some or all of the following sources:

 

•

net investment income consisting of regular interest and dividends,

 

•

net realized gains from portfolio investments, and

 

•

unrealized gains, or, in certain cases, a return of principal (non-taxable distributions).

 

•

A non-taxable distribution is a payment of a portion of the Fund’s capital. When the Fund’s returns exceed distributions, it may represent portfolio gains generated, but not realized as a taxable capital gain. In periods when the Fund’s returns fall short of distributions, it will represent a portion of your original principal unless the shortfall is offset during other time periods over the life of your investment (previous or subsequent) when the Fund’s total return exceeds distributions.

 

•

Because distribution source estimates are updated throughout the current fiscal year based on the Fund’s performance, these estimates may differ from both the tax information reported to you in the Fund’s 1099 statement, as well as the ultimate economic sources of distributions over the life of your investment.

The following table provides information regarding the Fund’s distributions and total return performance over various time periods. This information is intended to help you better understand whether the Fund’s returns for the specified time periods were sufficient to meet its distributions.

Data as of 5/31/2015

 

		Per Share Distribution								Monthly NII1				YTD Net Realized Gain/Loss2				Inception Unrealized Gain/Loss2				Current Distribution Rate on NAV3				Annualized Total Return on NAV												YTD Distribution Rate on NAV4
Inception Date		Quarterly				Monthly Equivalent																				1-Year				5-Year				YTD
1/2004		$	0.2720			$	0.0907			$	0.0548			$	1.1708			$	2.7564				7.31	%			7.08	%			14.20	%			5.35	%			3.66	%

 

1	NII is net investment income, which is expressed as a monthly amount using a six-month average.

2	These are approximations. Actual amounts may be more or less than amounts listed above.

3	Current distribution, annualized, expressed over the most recent month-end NAV.

4	Sum of year-to-date distributions expressed over the most recent month-end NAV.

 

	10			Nuveen Investments

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The following table provides estimates of the Fund’s distribution sources, reflecting year-to-date cumulative experience through the latest month-end. These estimates are for informational purposes only. The Fund attributes these estimates equally to each regular distribution throughout the year. Consequently, the estimated information shown below is for the current distribution, and also represents an updated estimate for all prior months in the year.

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and character of the distributions for tax reporting purposes will be reported to shareholders on Form 1099-DIV which will be sent to shareholders shortly after calendar year-end. More details about the Fund’s distributions and the basis for these estimates are available on www.nuveen.com/cef.

Data as of 5/31/2015

 

		Current Quarter												Calendar YTD
		Estimated Source of Distribution												Estimated Per Share Amounts
Per Share Distribution		NII1				Realized Gains				Return of Capital2				Distributions3				NII1				Realized Gains				Return of Capital2
$0.2720			64.6%				35.4%				0.0%			$	0.5440			$	0.3514			$	0.1926			$	—

 

1	NII is net investment income and is a projection through the end of the current calendar quarter based on most recent month-end data.

2

Return of Capital may represent unrealized gains, return of shareholder’s principal, or both. In certain circumstances, all or a portion of the return of capital my be characterized as ordinary income under federal tax law. The actual tax characterization will be provided to shareholders on Form 1099-DIV shortly after calendar year-end.

3	Includes the most recent quarterly distribution declaration.

COMMON SHARE REPURCHASES

During August 2014, the Fund’s Board of Trustees reauthorized an open-market share repurchase program, allowing the Fund to repurchase an aggregate of up to approximately 10% of its outstanding shares.

As of June 30, 2015, and since the inception of the Fund’s repurchase program, the Fund has cumulatively repurchased and retired common shares as shown in the accompanying table.

 

		JTA
Common Shares Cumulatively Repurchased and Retired			122,745
Common Shares Authorized for Repurchase			1,385,000

During the current reporting period, the Fund did not repurchase any of its outstanding common shares.

OTHER COMMON SHARE INFORMATION

As of June 30, 2015, and during the current reporting period, the Fund’s common share price was trading at a premium/(discount) to its common share NAV as shown in the accompanying table.

 

		JTA
Common Share NAV			$14.29
Common Share Price			$13.01
Premium/(Discount) to NAV			(8.96	)%
6-Month Average Premium/(Discount) to NAV			(7.54	)%

 

Nuveen Investments			11

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Risk

Considerations

 

Fund shares are not guaranteed or endorsed by any bank or other insured depository institution, and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Investing in closed-end funds involves risk; principal loss is possible. There is no guarantee the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved. Closed-end fund shares may frequently trade at a discount or premium to their net asset value. Common stock returns often have experienced significant volatility. Adjustable Rate Senior Loans may not be fully secured by collateral, generally do not trade on exchanges, and are typically issued by unrated or below-investment grade companies, and therefore are subject to greater liquidity and credit risk. Lower credit debt securities may be more likely to fail to make timely interest or principal payments. Leverage increases return volatility and magnifies the Fund’s potential return and its risks; there is no guarantee a fund’s leverage strategy will be successful. For these and other risks, including tax risk, please see the Fund’s web page at www.nuveen.com/JTA.

 

	12			Nuveen Investments

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JTA

 

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund

Performance Overview and Holding Summaries as of June 30, 2015

 

Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for further definition of the terms used within this section.

Average Annual Total Returns as of June 30, 2015

 

		Cumulative				Average Annual
		6-Month				1-Year				5-Year				10-Year
JTA at Common Share NAV			3.10%				2.55%				14.24%				4.10%
JTA at Common Share Price			1.93%				(6.22)%				13.66%				4.50%
Blended Benchmark			1.12%				1.94%				12.86%				6.44%
S&P 500® Index			1.23%				7.42%				17.34%				7.89%

Average Annual Total Returns as of June 30, 2015¹

(including retained gain tax credit/refund)

 

		Cumulative				Average Annual
		6-Month				1-Year				5-Year				10-Year
JTA at Common Share NAV			3.10%				2.55%				14.24%				4.30%
JTA at Common Share Price			1.93%				(6.22)%				13.66%				4.70%

Past performance is not predictive of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the data shown. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that shareholders may have to pay on Fund distributions or upon the sale of Fund shares. Returns at NAV are net of Fund expenses, and assume reinvestment of distributions. Comparative index return information is provided for the Fund’s shares at NAV only. Indexes are not available for direct investment.

Common Share Price Performance — Weekly Closing Price

 

 

1

The Fund elected to retain a portion of its realized long-term capital gains for the tax years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, and pay required federal corporate income taxes on these amounts. These standardized total returns include the economic benefit to common shareholders of record of this tax credit/refund. The Fund had no retained capital gains for the tax years ended December 31, 2008 through December 31, 2014 or for the tax years ended prior to December 31, 2006.

 

Nuveen Investments			13

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This data relates to the securities held in the Fund’s portfolio of investments as of the end of the reporting period. It should not be construed as a measure of performance for the Fund itself. Holdings are subject to change.

 

 

 

2	Excluding investments in derivatives.

 

	14			Nuveen Investments

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Shareholder

Meeting Report

 

The annual meeting of shareholders was held in the offices of Nuveen Investments on March 26, 2015 for JTA; at this meeting the shareholders were asked to elect Board Members.

 

		JTA
		Common Shares
Approval of the Board Members was reached as follows:
Jack B. Evans
For			11,893,472
Withhold			478,280
Total			12,371,752
William J. Schneider
For			11,892,894
Withhold			478,858
Total			12,371,752
Thomas S. Schreier, Jr.
For			11,900,479
Withhold			471,273
Total			12,371,752

 

Nuveen Investments			15

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JTA

 

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund
Portfolio of Investments		June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Shares				Description (1)						Value
				LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 143.6% (97.1% of Total Investments)
				COMMON STOCKS – 101.5% (68.6% of Total Investments)
				Air Freight & Logistics – 2.2%
	151,500			Deutsche Post AG						$	4,426,017
				Airlines – 0.8%
	18,500			Copa Holdings S.A.							1,527,915
				Automobiles – 3.3%
	23,200			Daimler AG, Sponsored ADR, (3)							2,126,512
	171,820			Ford Motor Company, (5)							2,579,018
	56,500			General Motors Company							1,883,145
				Total Automobiles							6,588,675
				Banks – 9.1%
	175,000			Barclays PLC, Sponsored ADR, (5)							2,877,000
	76,100			Citigroup Inc., (5)							4,203,764
	207,300			ING Groep N.V., Sponsored ADR, (5)							3,437,034
	62,000			JPMorgan Chase & Co.							4,201,120
	56,500			Wells Fargo & Company, (5)							3,177,560
				Total Banks							17,896,478
				Capital Markets – 5.5%
	194,000			Ares Capital Corporation, (5)							3,193,240
	113,600			Bank New York Mellon, (5)							4,767,792
	137,000			UBS Group AG							2,905,728
				Total Capital Markets							10,866,760
				Chemicals – 2.6%
	48,380			Agrium Inc.							5,125,861
				Communications Equipment – 3.4%
	108,500			Cisco Systems, Inc.							2,979,410
	359,600			Ericsson, Sponsored ADR, (5)							3,754,224
				Total Communications Equipment							6,733,634
				Containers & Packaging – 1.3%
	41,500			Avery Dennison Corporation							2,529,010
				Diversified Financial Services – 2.5%
	597,000			Deutsche Boerse AG, ADR, (3)							4,943,160
				Diversified Telecommunication Services – 5.8%
	174,000			Bezeq Israeli Telecommunication Corporation Limited, ADR, (3)							1,482,898
	163,000			Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, ADR, (5)							5,915,270
	265,000			TDC A/S							1,943,178
	153,400			Telefonica Brasil SA							2,149,208
				Total Diversified Telecommunication Services							11,490,554
				Electric Utilities – 1.1%
	589,000			EDP – Energias de Portugal, S.A.							2,235,881
				Food & Staples Retailing – 2.7%
	50,300			CVS Caremark Corporation, (5)							5,275,464

 

	16			Nuveen Investments

---

Shares				Description (1)						Value
				Food Products – 1.6%
	395,100			Orkla ASA, Sponsored ADR, (5)						$	3,136,106
				Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers – 0.5%
	34,000			Abengoa Yield PLC							1,064,880
				Industrial Conglomerates – 2.6%
	79,500			General Electric Company							2,112,315
	116,000			Philips Electronics, (5)							2,953,360
				Total Industrial Conglomerates							5,065,675
				Insurance – 11.1%
	150,200			Allianz S.E., Sponsored ADR, (3), (5)							2,353,634
	52,000			American International Group, Inc.							3,214,640
	274,300			Aviva PLC, Sponsored ADR							4,270,851
	246,400			Swiss Re AG, Sponsored ADR, (3)							5,477,472
	183,500			Unum Group, (5)							6,560,125
				Total Insurance							21,876,722
				Media – 9.1%
	163,000			Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.							3,141,010
	2,099			Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, (2), (3)							164,247
	69,300			National CineMedia, Inc.							1,106,028
	210,000			ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG, ADR, (3)							2,601,900
	410,000			RTL Group SA, ADR, (3)							3,727,679
	52,800			Time Warner Inc.							4,615,248
	3,958			Tribune Media Company							211,318
	3,184			Tribune Media Company, (2), (4)							–
	990			Tribune Publishing Company							15,369
	38,500			Viacom Inc., Class B							2,488,640
				Total Media							18,071,439
				Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 4.0%
	24,500			Phillips 66							1,973,720
	41,000			Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A, Sponsored ADR							2,337,410
	57,500			Suncor Energy, Inc.							1,582,400
	40,000			Total SA, Sponsored ADR, (5)							1,966,800
				Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels							7,860,330
				Pharmaceuticals – 17.4%
	62,300			AbbVie Inc.							4,185,937
	35,400			AstraZeneca PLC, Sponsored ADR, (5)							2,255,334
	140,900			GlaxoSmithKline PLC, Sponsored ADR, (5)							5,868,485
	50,000			Merck & Company Inc.							2,846,500
	135,500			Pfizer Inc., (5)							4,543,315
	89,500			Roche Holdings AG, Sponsored ADR, (3)							3,138,765
	118,000			Sanofi-Aventis, ADR, (5)							5,844,540
	97,500			Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Sponsored ADR, (5), (6)							5,762,250
				Total Pharmaceuticals							34,445,126
				Professional Services – 1.2%
	28,300			Adecco SA							2,297,417
				Real Estate Investment Trust – 3.5%
	134,000			National Storage Affiliates Trust							1,661,600
	117,500			Paramount Group Inc.							2,016,300
	100,000			PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust							1,743,000
	97,000			Redwood Trust Inc.							1,522,900
				Total Real Estate Investment Trust							6,943,800

 

Nuveen Investments			17

---

JTA		Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund
		Portfolio of Investments (continued)		June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Shares				Description (1)												Value
				Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 1.0%
	43,500			Microchip Technology Incorporated												$	2,062,988
				Software – 4.9%
	83,200			Microsoft Corporation													3,673,280
	151,500			Oracle Corporation													6,105,450
				Total Software													9,778,730
				Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 2.0%
	67,000			NetApp, Inc.													2,114,519
	38,000			Seagate Technology													1,804,999
				Total Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals													3,919,518
				Tobacco – 2.3%
	47,300			Imperial Tobacco Group, Sponsored ADR, (3)													4,564,450
				Total Common Stocks (cost $167,931,808)													200,726,590
Shares				Description (1)		Coupon						Ratings (7)				Value
				CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITIES –1.7% (1.2% of Total Investments)
				Diversified Telecommunication Services – 1.7%
	26,160			Frontier Communications Corporation			11.125%						N/R			$	2,613,384
	29,100			IntelSat SA			5.750%						N/R				834,588
				Total Diversified Telecommunication Services													3,447,972
				Total Convertible Preferred Securities (cost $4,202,447)													3,447,972
Shares				Description (1)		Coupon						Ratings (7)				Value
				$25 PAR (OR SIMILAR) RETAIL PREFERRED SECURITIES – 8.9% (6.0% of Total Investments)
				Banks – 3.4%
	13,800			Boston Private Financial Holdings Inc.			6.950%						N/R			$	354,246
	81,800			Citigroup Inc., (6)			6.875%						BB+				2,180,788
	25,445			City National Corporation			6.750%						Baa2				725,183
	6,525			Cobank Agricultural Credit Bank, (3)			6.250%						BBB+				669,017
	3,250			Cobank Agricultural Credit Bank, (3)			6.125%						BBB+				303,063
	17,300			Fifth Third Bancorp.			6.625%						Baa3				487,860
	10,000			First Republic Bank of San Francisco			7.000%						BBB–				273,800
	7,000			MB Financial Inc.			8.000%						N/R				188,020
	2,873			PNC Financial Services			6.125%						Baa2				78,835
	13,840			RBS Capital Trust			6.080%						BB–				338,111
	18,625			Regions Financial Corporation			6.375%						BB				478,849
	21			TCF Financial Corporation			7.500%						BB–				550
	20,400			U.S. Bancorp.			6.500%						A3				575,688
				Total Banks													6,654,010
				Capital Markets – 0.6%
	19,750			Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc.			8.000%						N/R				488,813
	25,675			Morgan Stanley			7.125%						Ba1				717,616
				Total Capital Markets													1,206,429
				Consumer Finance – 0.6%
	9,200			Capital One Financial Corporation			6.700%						Baa3				239,200
	24,160			HSBC Finance Corporation			6.360%						BBB–				606,899
	8,430			SLM Corporation, Series A			6.970%						B1				419,393
				Total Consumer Finance													1,265,492

 

	18			Nuveen Investments

---

Shares				Description (1)		Coupon								Ratings (7)				Value
				Diversified Financial Services – 0.1%
	9,500			KKR Financial Holdings LLC			7.375%								BBB			$	248,140
				Electric Utilities – 0.8%
	14,822			Alabama Power Company, (3)			6.500%								A3				397,415
	9,900			Alabama Power Company, (3)			6.450%								A3				260,804
	3,223			Georgia Power Company, (3)			6.500%								A–				343,854
	5,000			Gulf Power Company, (3)			6.450%								BBB+				500,039
				Total Electric Utilities															1,502,112
				Food Products – 0.4%
	17,700			CHS Inc.			7.100%								N/R				463,563
	13,805			CHS Inc.			0.000%								N/R				350,923
				Total Food Products															814,486
				Insurance – 2.4%
	21,289			Allstate Corporation			6.750%								BBB–				562,455
	30,050			Arch Capital Group Limited			6.750%								BBB				766,876
	10,400			Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited			7.401%								BBB–				265,720
	25,410			Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited			7.250%								BBB–				663,963
	25,798			Axis Capital Holdings Limited			6.875%								BBB				661,719
	19,080			Endurance Specialty Holdings Limited			7.750%								BBB–				489,593
	15,000			Endurance Specialty Holdings Limited			7.500%								BBB–				389,550
	17,801			Maiden Holdings Limited			8.250%								BB				477,601
	11,200			National General Holding Company			7.500%								N/R				279,104
	6,035			National General Holding Company			7.500%								N/R				150,995
				Total Insurance															4,707,576
				Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 0.1%
	10,237			Teekay Offshore Partners LP			7.250%								N/R				208,835
				Thrifts & Mortgage Finance – 0.5%
	7,331			Astoria Financial Corporation			6.500%								Ba2				182,248
	30,170			Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation			6.875%								N/R				776,877
				Total Thrifts & Mortgage Finance															959,125
				Total $25 Par (or similar) Retail Preferred (cost $16,795,085)															17,566,205
Principal Amount (000)				Description (1)		Coupon (9)				Maturity (8)				Ratings (7)				Value
				VARIABLE RATE SENIOR LOAN INTERESTS – 26.0% (17.6% of Total Investments) (9)
				Aerospace & Defense – 0.3%
$	647			B/E Aerospace, Inc., Term Loan B, First Lien			4.000%				12/16/21				BB+			$	651,803
				Airlines – 0.2%
	488			Delta Air Lines, Inc., Term Loan B1			3.250%				10/18/18				BBB–				486,853
				Automobiles – 1.1%
	985			Chrysler Group LLC, Term Loan B			3.500%				5/24/17				BB+				984,700
	1,114			Formula One Group, Term Loan, First Lien			4.750%				7/30/21				B				1,108,242
	2,099			Total Automobiles															2,092,942
				Building Products – 0.2%
	397			Gates Global LLC, Term Loan			4.250%				7/06/21				B+				391,577
				Capital Markets – 0.2%
	491			Guggenheim Partners LLC, Initial Term Loan			4.250%				7/22/20				N/R				493,706

 

Nuveen Investments			19

---

JTA		Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund
		Portfolio of Investments (continued)		June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal Amount (000)				Description (1)		Coupon (9)				Maturity (8)				Ratings (7)				Value
				Chemicals – 1.0%
$	199			Mineral Technologies, Inc., Term Loan B2, (WI/DD)			4.000%				5/31/21				BB			$	199,989
	787			Univar, Inc., Term Loan B, (WI/DD)			5.000%				6/30/17				BB–				786,121
	937			US Coatings Acquisition, Term Loan B			3.750%				2/01/20				BB–				936,581
	1,923			Total Chemicals															1,922,691
				Commercial Services & Supplies – 0.2%
	1,013			Millennium Laboratories, Inc., Tranche B, Term Loan			5.250%				4/16/21				B				424,877
				Communications Equipment – 0.1%
	271			CommScope Inc., Term Loan B, (WI/DD)			3.750%				5/28/22				BB				270,960
				Containers & Packaging – 0.8%
	1,527			Reynolds Group Holdings, Inc., Incremental US Term Loan, First Lien			4.500%				12/01/18				B+				1,532,938
				Diversified Consumer Services – 0.5%
	615			Hilton Hotels Corporation, Term Loan B2			3.500%				10/25/20				BBB–				615,815
	455			ServiceMaster Company, Term Loan			4.250%				7/01/21				B+				456,734
	1,070			Total Diversified Consumer Services															1,072,549
				Diversified Telecommunication Services – 0.4%
	179			Intelsat Jackson Holdings, S.A., Tranche B2, Term Loan			3.750%				6/30/19				BB–				178,128
	243			Level 3 Financing, Inc., Term Loan B2			3.500%				5/06/22				BB				242,006
	343			WideOpenWest Finance LLC, Term Loan B			4.500%				4/01/19				Ba3				343,535
	765			Total Diversified Telecommunication Services															763,669
				Energy Equipment & Services – 0.1%
	151			Drill Rigs Holdings, Inc., Tranche B1, Term Loan			6.000%				3/31/21				B				123,848
				Food & Staples Retailing – 0.5%
	998			Albertson’s LLC, Term Loan B4			5.500%				8/25/21				BB–				1,003,791
				Food Products – 1.5%
	917			H.J. Heinz Company, Term Loan B2			3.500%				6/05/20				BB				918,436
	1,000			Jacobs Douwe Egberts, Term Loan B			4.250%				7/23/21				BB				1,005,000
	954			US Foods, Inc., Incremental Term Loan			4.500%				3/31/19				B2				956,910
	2,871			Total Food Products															2,880,346
				Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 1.0%
	1,448			Kinetic Concepts, Inc., Incremental Term Loan E1			4.500%				5/04/18				BB–				1,455,586
	500			Sterigenics International, Inc., Term Loan B			4.250%				5/06/22				B1				501,250
	1,948			Total Health Care Equipment & Supplies															1,956,836
				Health Care Providers & Services – 1.8%
	262			Community Health Systems, Inc., Term Loan G			3.750%				12/13/19				BB				261,995
	524			Community Health Systems, Inc., Term Loan H			4.000%				1/27/21				BB				524,873
	823			DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc., Tranche B, Term Loan			3.500%				6/24/21				Ba1				824,282
	800			Drumm Investors LLC, Term Loan			6.750%				5/04/18				B				809,538
	983			HCA, Inc., Tranche B4, Term Loan			3.032%				5/01/18				BBB–				983,592
	75			HCA, Inc., Tranche B5, Term Loan			2.937%				3/31/17				BBB–				74,641
	3,467			Total Health Care Providers & Services															3,478,921
				Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 1.6%
	1,053			Burger King Corporation, Term Loan B			3.750%				12/10/21				Ba3				1,053,173
	976			MGM Resorts International, Term Loan B			3.500%				12/20/19				BB				971,138
	1,158			Seaworld Parks and Entertainment, Inc., Term Loan B2			3.000%				5/14/20				BB				1,119,669
	3,187			Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure															3,143,980

 

	20			Nuveen Investments

---

Principal Amount (000)				Description (1)		Coupon (9)				Maturity (8)				Ratings (7)				Value
				Household Durables – 0.3%
$	634			Tempur-Pedic International, Inc., New Term Loan B			3.500%				3/18/20				BB+			$	635,176
				Household Products – 0.3%
	500			Spectrum Brands, Inc., Term Loan, (WI/DD)			3.750%				6/16/22				Ba2				501,771
				Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers – 0.5%
	985			Calpine Corporation, Delayed Term Loan			4.000%				10/31/20				BB				985,462
				Internet & Catalog Retail – 0.3%
	498			Travelport LLC, Term Loan B, First Lien			5.750%				9/02/21				B				499,780
				Internet Software & Services – 0.4%
	831			Tibco Software, Inc., Term Loan B			6.500%				12/04/20				B1				831,640
				IT Services – 0.4%
	741			Vantiv, Inc., Term Loan B			3.750%				6/13/21				BB+				744,725
				Leisure Products – 0.6%
	753			24 Hour Fitness Worldwide, Inc., Term Loan B			4.750%				5/28/21				Ba3				718,841
	500			Academy, Ltd., Term Loan B, (WI/DD)			5.000%				6/16/22				B				500,469
	1,253			Total Leisure Products															1,219,310
				Machinery – 0.5%
	570			Doosan Infracore International, Inc., Term Loan			4.500%				5/27/21				BB–				575,118
	491			Rexnord LLC, Term Loan B			4.000%				8/21/20				BB–				490,636
	1,061			Total Machinery															1,065,754
				Media – 3.0%
	490			Charter Communications Operating Holdings LLC, Term Loan E			3.000%				7/01/20				Baa3				484,641
	747			Clear Channel Communications, Inc., Tranche D, Term Loan			6.937%				1/30/19				CCC+				691,842
	92			Clear Channel Communications, Inc., Term Loan E			7.687%				7/30/19				CCC+				86,526
	940			Cumulus Media, Inc., Term Loan B			4.250%				12/23/20				B+				894,939
	495			Interactive Data Corporation, Term Loan B			4.750%				5/02/21				B+				497,063
	296			Media General, Inc., Delayed Draw, Term Loan			4.250%				7/31/20				BB+				296,583
	533			Numericable Group S.A., Term Loan B1			4.500%				5/21/20				Ba3				535,534
	462			Numericable Group S.A., Term Loan B2			4.500%				5/21/20				Ba3				463,310
	551			Springer Science & Business Media, Inc., Term Loan B9, First Lien			4.750%				8/14/20				B1				553,553
	1,528			Univision Communications, Inc., Replacement Term Loan, First Lien			4.000%				3/01/20				B+				1,520,403
	6,134			Total Media															6,024,394
				Multiline Retail – 0.9%
	499			Bass Pro Group LLC, Term Loan B, First Lien			4.000%				6/05/20				BB–				499,789
	760			Dollar Tree, Inc., Term Loan B1			3.500%				3/09/22				BB+				761,267
	240			Dollar Tree, Inc., Term Loan B2			4.250%				3/09/22				BB+				240,525
	244			Hudson’s Bay Company, Term Loan B, First Lien			4.750%				11/04/20				BB				244,729
	1,743			Total Multiline Retail															1,746,310
				Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 0.5%
	500			Energy Transfer Equity L.P., Term Loan, First Lien			3.250%				12/02/19				BB				497,344
	214			Fieldwood Energy LLC, Term Loan, Second Lien			8.375%				9/30/20				B2				164,433
	153			Harvey Gulf International Marine, Inc., Term Loan B, (WI/DD)			5.500%				6/18/20				B				124,392
	130			Southcross Holdings Borrower L.P., Holdco Term Loan			6.000%				8/04/21				B2				126,092
	997			Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels															912,261
				Pharmaceuticals – 1.8%
	1,000			Endo Health Solutions, Inc., Asset Sale Bridge Loan, (WI/DD)			3.500%				6/24/16				Ba1				1,000,000
	750			Endo Health Solutions, Inc., Term Loan B, (WI/DD)			3.750%				6/24/22				Ba1				752,812
	647			Grifols, Inc., Term Loan			3.187%				2/27/21				Ba1				647,832

 

Nuveen Investments			21

---

JTA		Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund
		Portfolio of Investments (continued)		June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal Amount (000)				Description (1)		Coupon (9)				Maturity (8)				Ratings (7)				Value
				Pharmaceuticals (continued)
$	234			Quintiles Transnational Corp., Term Loan B			3.250%				5/06/22				Baa3			$	235,486
	994			Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., Term Loan E			3.500%				8/05/20				BB+				992,133
	3,625			Total Pharmaceuticals															3,628,263
				Professional Services – 0.1%
	181			Nielsen Finance LLC, Dollar Term Loan B2			3.183%				4/15/21				BBB				181,919
				Real Estate Investment Trust – 0.4%
	900			Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc., Term Loan B, First Lien			5.000%				10/24/22				BB				883,312
				Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 1.1%
	861			Avago Technologies, Term Loan B			3.750%				5/06/21				BBB-				863,463
	497			Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., Term Loan, Tranche B4			4.250%				2/28/20				B1				498,602
	726			NXP Semiconductor LLC, Term Loan D			3.250%				1/11/20				BBB-				725,498
	2,084			Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment															2,087,563
				Software – 2.2%
	374			Activision Blizzard, Inc., Term Loan B			3.250%				10/12/20				BBB				375,152
	476			BMC Software, Inc., Initial Term Loan			5.000%				9/10/20				B1				449,602
	795			Datatel Parent Corp, Term Loan B1			4.000%				7/19/18				BB–				796,805
	958			Emdeon Business Services LLC, Term Loan B2			3.750%				11/02/18				Ba3				959,624
	759			Infor Global Solutions Intermediate Holdings, Ltd., Term Loan B5			3.750%				6/03/20				Ba3				750,100
	816			SS&C Technologies, Inc./ Sunshine Acquisition II, Inc., Term Loan B1, (WI/DD)			4.000%				6/29/22				BB				817,674
	184			SS&C Technologies, Inc./ Sunshine Acquisition II, Inc., Term Loan B2, (WI/DD)			4.000%				6/30/22				BB				184,201
	4,362			Total Software															4,333,158
				Specialty Retail – 0.7%
	560			Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation, Term Loan B3			4.250%				8/13/21				BB–				559,137
	450			Petsmart, Inc., Term Loan B			4.250%				3/10/22				BB–				450,076
	400			Staples, Inc., First Lien Term Loan B, (WI/DD)			3.500%				4/30/21				BBB				400,027
	1,410			Total Specialty Retail															1,409,240
				Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 0.5%
	988			Dell, Inc., Term Loan B2			4.000%				4/29/20				BBB				988,470
	52,240			Total Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests (cost $51,863,584)															51,370,795
Principal Amount (000)				Description (1)		Coupon				Maturity				Ratings (7)				Value
				CORPORATE BONDS – 0.8% (0.5% of Total Investments)
				Banks – 0.7%
$	475			Bank of America Corporation			6.250%				3/05/65				BB+			$	472,924
	250			Citigroup Inc.			5.950%				12/31/49				BB+				241,300
	150			JPMorgan Chase & Company			6.750%				12/31/49				BBB–				160,265
	525			M&T Bank Corporation			6.450%				12/31/49				Baa2				564,375
	1,400			Total Banks															1,438,864
				Media – 0.1%
	133			Clear Channel Communications, Inc.			9.000%				12/15/19				CCC+				126,749
$	1,533			Total Corporate Bonds (cost $1,525,123)															1,565,613
Principal Amount (000)/ Shares				Description (1)		Coupon				Maturity				Ratings (7)				Value
				$1,000 PAR (OR SIMILAR) INSTITUTIONAL PREFERRED – 4.7% (3.2% of Total Investments)
				Banks – 4.0%
$	2,367			Bank of America Corporation			6.100%				N/A	(10)			BB+			$	2,337,413
	575			Citigroup Inc.			5.800%				N/A	(10)			BB+				576,438

 

	22			Nuveen Investments

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Principal Amount (000)/ Shares				Description (1)		Coupon				Maturity				Ratings (7)				Value
				Banks (continued)
$	200			Citizens Financial Group Inc., 144A			5.500%				N/A	(10)			BB+			$	194,375
	600			General Electric Capital Corporation			7.125%				N/A	(10)			A+				692,250
	2,000			JPMorgan Chase & Co.			6.125%				N/A	(10)			BBB-				2,008,200
	250			JPMorgan Chase & Co.			6.100%				N/A	(10)			BBB–				250,875
	500			JPMorgan Chase & Co.			7.900%				N/A	(10)			BBB–				528,875
	500			PNC Financial Services Inc.			6.750%				N/A	(10)			Baa2				553,750
	450			SunTrust Bank Inc.			5.625%				N/A	(10)			Baa3				452,813
	400			Wells Fargo & Company			5.875%				N/A	(10)			BBB				409,520
	25			Zions Bancorporation			7.200%				N/A	(10)			BB–				26,563
				Total Banks															8,031,072
				Capital Markets – 0.1%
	225			Morgan Stanley			5.550%				N/A	(10)			Ba1				223,369
				Consumer Finance – 0.6%
	225			Ally Financial Inc., 144A			7.000%				N/A	(10)			B				227,355
	450			American Express Company			5.200%				N/A	(10)			Baa2				446,669
	475			Capital One Financial Corporation			5.550%				N/A	(10)			Baa3				470,843
				Total Consumer Finance															1,144,867
				Total $1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred (cost $9,299,535)															9,399,308
				Total Long-Term Investments (cost $251,617,582)															284,076,483
Principal Amount (000)				Description (1)		Coupon				Maturity								Value
				SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 4.3% (2.9% of Total Investments)
				REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 4.3%
$	4,031			Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, dated 6/30/15, repurchase price $4,031,279, collateralized by $4,190,000 U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.750%, due 4/30/22, value $4,116,675			0.000%				7/01/15							$	4,031,279
	4,521			Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, dated 6/30/15, repurchase price $4,520,520, collateralized by $4,620,000 U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.625%, due 6/30/20, value $4,615,272			0.000%				7/01/15								4,520,520
$	8,552			Total Short-Term Investments (cost $8,551,799)															8,551,799
				Total Investments (cost $260,169,381) – 147.9%															292,628,282
				Borrowings – (45.2)% (11), (12)															(89,400,000	)
				Other Assets Less Liabilities – (2.7)% (13)															(5,438,693	)
				Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares – 100%														$	197,789,589

Investments in Derivatives as of June 30, 2015

Call Options Written outstanding:

 

Number of Contracts				Description		Notional Amount (14)				Expiration Date				Strike Price				Value
	(69	)		American International Group, Inc.		$	(448,500	)			8/21/15			$	65			$	(5,037	)
	(69	)		Total Options Written (premiums received $6,828)		$	(448,500	)										$	(5,037	)

Interest Rate Swaps outstanding:

 

Counterparty		Notional Amount				Fund Pay/Receive Floating Rate				Floating Rate Index				Fixed Rate (Annualized)				Fixed Rate Payment Frequency				Effective Date (15)				Termination Date				Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
JPMorgan		$	18,475,000				Receive				1-Month USD-LIBOR-ICE				1.462	%			Monthly				12/01/15				12/01/20			$	(130,948	)
JPMorgan			18,475,000				Receive				1-Month USD-LIBOR-ICE				1.842				Monthly				12/01/15				12/01/22				(128,361	)
		$	36,950,000																											$	(259,309	)

 

Nuveen Investments			23

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JTA		Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund
		Portfolio of Investments (continued)		June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1)	All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets applicable to common shares unless otherwise noted.

 

(2)	Non-income producing; issuer has not declared a dividend within the past twelve months.

 

(3)	For fair value measurement disclosure purposes, Investment classified as Level 2. See Notes to Financial Statements, Note 2 – Investment Valuation and Fair Value Measurements for more information.

 

(4)

Investments valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by, or at the discretion of, the Board. For fair value measurement disclosure purposes, investment classified as Level 3. See Notes to Financial Statements, Note 2 – Investment Valuation and Fair Value Measurements for more information.

 

(5)	Investment, or portion of investment, is out on loan as described in Note 9– Borrowing Arrangements. The total value of investments out on loan as of the end of the reporting period was $2,546,100.

 

(6)	Investment, or portion of investment, has been pledged to collateralize the net payment obligations for investments in derivatives.

 

(7)

Ratings: Using the highest of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) rating. Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor’s, Baa by Moody’s or BBB by Fitch are considered to be below investment grade. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by any of these national rating agencies.

 

(8)

Senior loans generally are subject to mandatory and/or optional prepayment. Because of these mandatory prepayment conditions and because there may be significant economic incentives for a borrower to prepay, prepayments of senior loans may occur. As a result, the actual remaining maturity of senior loans held may be substantially less than the stated maturities shown.

 

(9)

Senior loans generally pay interest at rates which are periodically adjusted by reference to a base short-term, floating lending rate plus an assigned fixed rate. These floating lending rates are generally (i) the lending rate referenced by the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), or (ii) the prime rate offered by one or more major United States banks. Senior loans may be considered restricted in that the Fund ordinarily is contractually obligated to receive approval from the agent bank and/or borrower prior to the disposition of a senior loan. The rate shown is the coupon as of the end of the reporting period.

 

(10)	Perpetual security. Maturity date is not applicable.

 

(11)	Borrowings as a percentage of Total Investments is 30.6%.

 

(12)

The Fund may pledge up to 100% of its eligible investments (excluding any investments separately pledged as collateral for specific investments in derivatives) in the Portfolio of Investments as collateral for borrowings. As of the end of the reporting period, investments with a value of $183,026,272 have been pledged as collateral for borrowings.

 

(13)

Other assets less liabilities includes the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of certain over-the-counter derivatives as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of exchange-cleared and exchange-traded derivatives is recognized as part of the cash collateral at brokers and/or the receivable or payable for variation margin as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, when applicable. Other assets less liabilities also includes the value of options as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

(14)	For disclosure purposes, Notional Amount is calculated by multiplying the Number of Contracts by the Strike Price by 100.

 

(15)	Effective date represents the date on which both the Fund and Counterparty commence interest payment accruals on each contract.

 

144A	Investment is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These investments may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration, which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers.

 

ADR	American Depositary Receipt

 

USD-LIBOR-ICE

United States Dollar-London Inter-Bank Offered Rate Intercontinental Exchange

 

(WI/DD)

Purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

	24			Nuveen Investments

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Statement of Assets and Liabilities						June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Assets
Long-term investments, at value (cost $251,617,582)		$	284,076,483
Short-term investments, at value (cost approximates value)			8,551,799
Cash			148,160
Receivable for:
Dividends			457,464
Interest			340,413
Investments sold			3,419,175
Reclaims			122,528
Other assets			46,159
Total assets			297,162,181
Liabilities
Borrowings			89,400,000
Options written, at value (premiums received $6,828)			5,037
Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swaps			259,309
Payable for:
Dividends			3,663,571
Investments purchased			5,715,845
Accrued expenses:
Management fees			208,315
Interest on borrowings			5,142
Trustees fees			42,176
Other			73,197
Total liabilities			99,372,592
Net assets applicable to common shares		$	197,789,589
Common shares outstanding			13,843,146
Net asset value (“NAV”) per common share outstanding		$	14.29
Net assets applicable to common shares consist of:
Common shares, $0.01 par value per share		$	138,431
Paid-in surplus			219,269,269
Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income			(3,198,229	)
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)			(50,621,521	)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)			32,201,639
Net assets applicable to common shares		$	197,789,589
Authorized shares:
Common			Unlimited
Preferred			Unlimited

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Nuveen Investments			25

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Statement of Operations						Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Investment Income
Dividends (net of foreign tax withheld of $288,036)		$	4,688,279
Interest			1,386,451
Other income			67,050
Total investment income			6,141,780
Expenses
Management fees			1,251,242
Interest expense on borrowings			462,008
Custodian fees			56,505
Trustees fees			5,709
Professional fees			22,661
Shareholder reporting expenses			22,563
Shareholder servicing agent fees			343
Stock exchange listing fees			3,941
Investor relations expenses			24,497
Other expenses			8,733
Total expenses			1,858,202
Net investment income (loss)			4,283,578
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
Net realized gain (loss) from:
Investments and foreign currency			17,275,579
Options written			248,022
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:
Investments and foreign currency			(15,396,890	)
Options written			14,517
Swaps			(359,543	)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)			1,781,685
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shares from operations		$	6,065,263

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

	26			Nuveen Investments

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Statement of Changes in Net Assets						(Unaudited)

 

		Six Months Ended 6/30/15				Year Ended 12/31/14
Operations
Net investment income (loss)		$	4,283,578			$	6,782,778
Net realized gain (loss) from:
Investments and foreign currency			17,275,579				12,890,421
Options written			248,022				925,328
Swaps			—				(690,659	)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:
Investments and foreign currency			(15,396,890	)			(9,001,401	)
Options written			14,517				(102,575	)
Swaps			(359,543	)			(937,796	)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shares from operations			6,065,263				9,866,096
Distributions to Common Shareholders
From and in excess of net investment income			(7,530,672	)			—
From net investment income			—				(14,254,636	)
Decrease in net assets applicable to common shares from distributions to common shareholders			(7,530,672	)			(14,254,636	)
Capital Share Transactions
Net proceeds from shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions			—				115,365
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shares from capital share transactions			—				115,365
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shares			(1,465,409	)			(4,273,175	)
Net assets applicable to common shares at the beginning of period			199,254,998				203,528,173
Net assets applicable to common shares at the end of period		$	197,789,589			$	199,254,998
Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income at the end of period		$	(3,198,229	)		$	48,865

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Nuveen Investments			27

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Statement of Cash Flows						Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares from Operations		$	6,065,263
Adjustments to reconcile the net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shares from operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Purchases of investments			(86,080,003	)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments			84,033,399
Proceeds from (Purchases of) short-term investments, net			(3,559,712	)
Premiums received for options written			472,592
Cash paid for terminated options written			(261,689	)
Investment transaction adjustments, net			158,952
Amortization (Accretion) of premiums and discounts, net			(31,376	)
(Increase) Decrease in:
Receivable for dividends			(10,696	)
Receivable for interest			(77,923	)
Receivable for investments sold			1,903,977
Receivable for reclaims			16,039
Other assets			(12,225	)
Increase (Decrease) in:
Payable for investments purchased			4,311,611
Accrued management fees			(4,606	)
Accrued interest on borrowings			134
Accrued Trustees fees			9,128
Accrued other expenses			(24,046	)
Net realized (gain) loss from:
Investments and foreign currency			(17,275,579	)
Options written			(248,022	)
Change in net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation of:
Investments and foreign currency			15,396,890
Options written			(14,517	)
Swaps			359,543
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			5,127,134
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Increase (Decrease) in cash overdraft			(1,111,873	)
Cash distributions paid to common shareholders			(3,867,101	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(4,978,974	)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash			148,160
Cash at the beginning of period			—
Cash at the end of period		$	148,160
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
Cash paid for interest on borrowings (excluding borrowing costs)		$	461,874

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

	28			Nuveen Investments

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Nuveen Investments			29

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Financial

Highlights (Unaudited)

 

Selected data for a common share outstanding throughout each period:

 

						Investment Operations												Less Distributions to Common Shareholders																Common Share
		Beginning Common Share NAV				Net Investment Income (Loss)(a)				Net Realized/ Unrealized Gain (Loss)				Total				From Net Investment Income				From Accum- ulated Net Realized Gains				Return of Capital				Total				Discount Per Shares Repurchased and Retired				Ending NAV				Ending Share Price
Year Ended 12/31:
2015(f)		$	14.39			$	0.31			$	0.13			$	0.44			$	(0.54	)***		$	—			$	—			$	(0.54	)		$	—			$	14.29			$	13.01
2014			14.71				0.49				0.22				0.71				(1.03	)			—				—				(1.03	)			—				14.39				13.29
2013			11.67				0.34				3.63				3.97				(0.87	)			—				(0.06	)			(0.93	)			—				14.71				14.10
2012			10.97				0.37				1.21				1.58				(0.48	)			—				(0.40	)			(0.88	)			—	*			11.67				10.51
2011			12.34				0.36				(0.83	)			(0.47	)			(0.40	)			—				(0.50	)			(0.90	)			—	*			10.97				9.56
2010			11.63				0.27				1.38				1.65				(0.94	)			—				—				(0.94	)			—				12.34				11.24

 

		Borrowings at the End of Period
		Aggregate Amount Outstanding (000)				Asset Coverage Per $1,000
Year Ended 12/31:
2015(f)		$	89,400			$	3,212
2014			89,400				3,229
2013			85,000				3,394
2012			67,900				3,377
2011			67,900				3,237
2010			52,600				4,255

 

	30			Nuveen Investments

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								Common Share Supplemental Data/ Ratios Applicable to Common Shares
Common Share Total Returns												Ratios to Average Net Assets Before Reimbursement(c)								Ratios to Average Net Assets After Reimbursement(c)(d)
Based on NAV(b)				Based on Share Price(b)				Ending Net Assets (000)				Expenses				Net Investment Income (Loss)				Expenses				Net Investment Income (Loss)				Portfolio Turnover Rate(e)
	3.10	%			1.93	%		$	197,790				1.85	%**			4.26	%**			N/A				N/A				30	%
	4.91				1.44				199,255				1.85				3.35				N/A				N/A				34
	34.97				44.22				203,528				1.87				2.55				N/A				N/A				39
	14.54				19.31				161,395				2.00				3.11				1.99	%			3.12	%			37
	(3.87	)			(7.48	)			151,890				1.85				2.96				1.73				3.08				56
	14.99				14.73				171,220				1.77				2.14				1.55				2.36				48

 

(a)	Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.

(b)

Total Return Based on Common Share NAV is the combination of changes in common share NAV, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. The last dividend declared in the period, which is typically paid on the first business day of the following month, is assumed to be reinvested at the ending NAV. The actual reinvest price for the last dividend declared in the period may often be based on the Fund’s market price (and not its NAV), and therefore may be different from the price used in the calculation. Total returns are not annualized.

Total Return Based on Common Share Price is the combination of changes in the market price per share and the effect of reinvested dividend income and reinvested capital gains distributions, if any, at the average price paid per share at the time of reinvestment. The last dividend declared in the period, which is typically paid on the first business day of the following month, is assumed to be reinvested at the ending market price. The actual reinvestment for the last dividend declared in the period takes place over several days, and in some instances may not be based on the market price, so the actual reinvestment price may be different from the price used in the calculation. Total returns are not annualized.

(c)    •

Net Investment Income (Loss) ratios reflect income earned and expenses incurred on assets attributable to borrowings, where applicable, as described in Note 9 –Borrowing Arrangements.

•

Each ratio includes the effect of all interest expense paid and other costs related to borrowings, where applicable, as follows:

 

 

(d)	After expense reimbursement from the Adviser, where applicable. As of January 31, 2012, the Adviser is no longer reimbursing the Fund for any fees or expenses.

(e)	Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales (as disclosed in Note 5 – Investment Transactions) divided by the average long-term market value during the period.

(f)	For the six months ended June 30, 2015.

*	Rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

**	Annualized.

***	Represents distributions paid “From and in excess of net investment income” for the six months ended June 30, 2015, as described in Note 1 – General Information and Significant Accounting Policies, Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders.

N/A	Fund no longer has a contractual reimbursement agreement with the Adviser.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Nuveen Investments			31

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Notes to

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

1. General Information and Significant Accounting Policies

General Information

Fund Information

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a diversified closed-end management investment company. The Fund’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and trade under the ticker symbol “JTA.” The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on October 1, 2003.

The end of the reporting period for the Fund is June 30, 2015, and the period covered by these Notes to Financial Statements is the six months ended June 30, 2015 (“the current fiscal period”).

Investment Adviser

The Fund’s investment adviser is Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen Investments, Inc. (“Nuveen”). The Adviser is responsible for the Fund’s overall investment strategy and asset allocation decisions. The Adviser has entered into sub-advisory agreements with NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC (“NWQ”) and Symphony Asset Management LLC (“Symphony”) (each a “Sub-Adviser” and collectively, the “Sub-Advisers”), each an affiliate of Nuveen. NWQ manages the portion of the Fund’s investment portfolio allocated to dividend-paying common and preferred stocks, including American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and the Fund’s options strategy. Symphony manages the portion of the Fund’s investment portfolio allocated to senior loans and other debt instruments. The Adviser is responsible for managing the Fund’s investments in swap contracts.

Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategies

For the period January 1, 2015 through January 29, 2015, the Fund’s investment objective is to achieve a high level of after-tax total return consisting primarily of tax-advantaged dividend income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in a portfolio of dividend-paying common stocks that the Fund believed at the time of investment are eligible to pay dividends that may be eligible for favorable federal income taxation at rates applicable to long-term capital gains (“tax-advantaged dividends”). The Fund also invested, to a more limited extent, in preferred securities that are eligible to pay tax-advantaged dividends, as well as in senior loans (both secured and unsecured), domestic corporate bonds, notes and debentures, convertible debt securities and other similar types of corporate instruments, including high-yield debt securities, that are not eligible to pay tax-advantaged dividends.

Effective January 30, 2015 the Fund made changes to its investment policies, which were primarily intended to update and clarify the investment parameters used to manage the global equity income portion of the Fund sub-advised by NWQ although some policy changes apply to the Fund as a whole. The clarifications and changes to the Fund’s investment policies that apply to the Fund as a whole, and that apply only to the global equity income portion of the Fund are detailed below.

The following summarizes the clarifications and changes that apply at the overall Fund level:

 

•

At least 60% of the Fund’s managed assets will be invested in tax-advantaged income-producing equity securities, including dividend received deduction (DRD) preferred securities;

 

•

The Fund has greater flexibility to invest (up to 70% of the Fund’s managed assets) in non-U.S. issues of any currency;

 

•

The Fund has greater flexibility to invest (up to 20% of the Fund’s managed assets) in securities of issuers of emerging market countries; and

 

•

The Fund has flexibility to use derivatives both for hedging purposes and to enhance risk-adjusted returns, including writing (selling) covered options.

The following summarizes the clarifications and changes that apply only to the global equity income strategy portion of the Fund:

 

•

The global equity income strategy may invest in common stocks, preferred securities, convertible securities, convertible preferred securities, real estate investment trusts (REITs), master limited partnerships (MLPs), and debt; and

 

•

The Fund’s policies regarding credit ratings as they apply to the equity securities in the global equity income strategy portion of the Fund have been eliminated.

The Fund’s investment objective remained unchanged.

Significant Accounting Policies

The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 946 “Financial Services – Investment Companies.” The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

 

	32			Nuveen Investments

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Investment Transactions

Investment transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Trade date for senior and subordinated loans purchased in the “primary market” is considered the date on which the loan allocations are determined. Trade date for senior and subordinated loans purchased in the “secondary market” is the date on which the transaction is entered into. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are determined on the specific identification method, which is the same basis used for federal income tax purposes. Investments purchased on a when-issued/delayed delivery basis may have extended settlement periods. Any investments so purchased are subject to market fluctuation during this period. The Fund has instructed the custodian to earmark securities in the Fund’s portfolio with a current value at least equal to the amount of the when-issued/delayed delivery purchase commitments.

As of the end of the reporting period, the Fund’s outstanding when-issued/delayed delivery purchase commitments were as follows:

 

Outstanding when-issued/delayed delivery purchase commitments		$ 5,513,969

Investment Income

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or, for foreign securities, when information is available. Interest income, which reflects the amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts for financial reporting purposes, is recorded on an accrual basis. Fee income consists primarily of amendment fees. Amendment fees are earned as compensation for evaluating and accepting changes to an original senior loan agreement and are recognized when received. Fee income and amendment fees are a component of “Interest” on the Statement of Operations, if any. Other income is comprised of fees earned in connection with the rehypothecation of pledged collateral as further described in Note 9 – Borrowing Arrangements.

Professional Fees

Professional fees presented on the Statement of Operations consist of legal fees incurred in the normal course of operations, audit fees, tax consulting fees and, in some cases, workout expenditures. Workout expenditures are incurred in an attempt to protect or enhance an investment or to pursue other claims or legal actions on behalf of Fund shareholders. If a refund is received for workout expenditures paid in a prior reporting period, such amounts will be recognized as “Legal fee refund” on the Statement of Operations.

Dividends and Distributions to Common Shareholders

Distributions to common shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

The Fund makes quarterly cash distributions to common shareholders of a stated dollar amount per share. Subject to approval and oversight by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), the Fund seeks to maintain a stable distribution level designed to deliver the long-term return potential of the Fund’s investment strategy through regular quarterly distributions (a “Managed Distribution Program”). Total distributions during a calendar year generally will be made from the Fund’s net investment income, net realized capital gains and net unrealized capital gains in the Fund’s portfolio, if any. The portion of distributions paid attributed to net unrealized gains, if any, is distributed from the Fund’s assets and is treated by shareholders as a non-taxable distribution (“Return of Capital”) for tax purposes. In the event that total distributions during a calendar year exceed the Fund’s total return on net asset value (“NAV”), the difference will reduce NAV per share. If the Fund’s total return on NAV exceeds total distributions during a calendar year, the excess will be reflected as an increase in NAV per share. The final determination of the source and character of all distributions for the fiscal year is made after the end of the fiscal year and is reflected in the financial statements contained in the annual report as of December 31 each year.

The actual character of distributions made by the Fund during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, is reflected in the accompanying statements.

The distributions made by the Fund during the current fiscal period are provisionally classified as being “From and in excess of net investment income,” and those distributions will be classified as being from net investment income, net realized capital gains and/or a return of capital for tax purposes after the fiscal year end. For purposes of calculating “Undistributed (Over distribution of) net investment income” as of the end of the reporting period, the distribution amounts provisionally classified as “From and in excess of net investment income” were treated as being entirely from net investment income. Consequently, the financial statements as of the end of the reporting period, may reflect an over-distribution of net investment income.

Indemnifications

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications to other parties. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

Netting Agreements

In the ordinary course of business, the Fund may enter into transactions subject to enforceable master repurchase agreements, International Swaps and Derivative Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) master agreements or other similar arrangements (“netting agreements”). Generally, the right to offset in netting

 

Nuveen Investments			33

---

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

agreements allows the Fund to offset certain securities and derivatives with a specific counterparty as well as any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty based on the terms of the agreements. Generally, the Fund manages its cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis.

The Fund’s investments subject to netting agreements as of the end of the reporting period, if any, are further described in Note 3 – Portfolio Securities and Investments in Derivatives.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets applicable to common shares from operations during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

2. Investment Valuation and Fair Value Measurements

The fair valuation input levels as described below are for fair value measurement purposes.

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received upon selling an investment or transferring a liability in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment. A three-tier hierarchy is used to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are based on the best information available in the circumstances. The following is a summary of the three-tiered hierarchy of valuation input levels.

 

Level 1 –		Inputs are unadjusted and prices are determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2 –		Prices are determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
Level 3 –		Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs (including management’s assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

Common stocks and other equity-type securities are valued at the last sales price on the securities exchange on which such securities are primarily traded and are generally classified as Level 1. Securities primarily traded on the NASDAQ National Market (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price and are generally classified as Level 1. However, securities traded on a securities exchange or NASDAQ for which there were no transactions on a given day or securities not listed on a securities exchange or NASDAQ are valued at the quoted bid price and are generally classified as Level 2. Prices of certain ADRs held by the Fund that trade in the United States are valued based on the last traded price, official closing price or the most recent bid price of the underlying non-U.S.-traded stock, adjusted as appropriate for the underlying-to-ADR conversion ratio and foreign exchange rate, and from time-to-time may also be adjusted further to take into account material events that may take place after the close of the local non-U.S. market but before the close of the NYSE, which may represent a transfer from a Level 1 to a Level 2 security.

Prices of fixed-income securities are provided by a pricing service approved by the Board. The pricing service establishes a security’s fair value using methods that may include consideration of the following: yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating, market quotes or indications of value from security dealers, evaluations of anticipated cash flows or collateral, general market conditions and other information and analysis, including the obligor’s credit characteristics considered relevant. These securities are generally classified as Level 2. In pricing certain securities, particularly less liquid and lower quality securities, the pricing service may consider information about a security, its issuer or market activity provided by the Adviser. These securities are generally classified as Level 2 or Level 3 depending on the priority of the significant inputs.

Like most fixed-income securities, the senior and subordinated loans in which the Fund invests are not listed on an organized exchange. The secondary market of such investments may be less liquid relative to markets for other fixed-income securities. Consequently, the value of senior and subordinated loans, determined as described above, may differ significantly from the value that would have been determined had there been an active market for that senior loan. These securities are generally classified as Level 2.

Prices of swap contracts are also provided by a pricing service approved by the Board using the same methods as described above and are generally classified as Level 2.

The value of exchange-traded options are based on the mean of the closing bid and ask prices. Exchange-traded options are generally classified as Level 1. Options traded in the over-the-counter market are valued using an evaluated mean price and are generally classified as Level 2.

Repurchase agreements are valued at contract amount plus accrued interest, which approximates market value. These securities are generally classified as Level 2.

 

	34			Nuveen Investments

---

 

Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to the U.S. dollar using exchange rates obtained from pricing services. As a result, the NAV of the Fund’s shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the NYSE is closed and an investor is not able to purchase, redeem or exchange shares. If significant market events occur between the time of determination of the closing price of a foreign security on an exchange and the time that the Fund’s NAV is determined, or if under the Fund’s procedures, the closing price of a foreign security is not deemed to be reliable, the security would be valued at fair value as determined in accordance with procedures established in good faith by the Board. These securities are generally classified as Level 2 or Level 3 depending on the priority of the significant inputs.

Certain securities may not be able to be priced by the pre-established pricing methods as described above. Such securities may be valued by the Board and/or its appointee at fair value. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; debt securities that have gone into default and for which there is no current market quotation; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established pricing source; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of the Fund’s NAV (as may be the case in non-U.S. markets on which the security is primarily traded) or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; and a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, is not deemed to reflect the security’s fair value. As a general principle, the fair value of a security would appear to be the amount that the owner might reasonably expect to receive for it in a current sale. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities, which may include consideration of the following: yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating, market quotes or indications of value from security dealers, evaluations of anticipated cash flows or collateral, general market conditions and other information and analysis, including the obligor’s credit characteristics considered relevant. These securities are generally classified as Level 2 or Level 3 depending on the priority of the significant inputs. Regardless of the method employed to value a particular security, all valuations are subject to review by the Board and/or its appointee.

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of the Fund’s fair value measurements as of the end of the reporting period:

 

		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
Long-Term Investments*:
Common Stocks**		$	170,145,873			$	30,580,717			$	—	***		$	200,726,590
Convertible Preferred Securities			3,447,972				—				—				3,447,972
$25 Par (or similar) Retail Preferred**			15,092,013				2,474,192				—				17,566,205
Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests			—				51,370,795				—				51,370,795
Corporate Bonds			—				1,565,613				—				1,565,613
$1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred			—				9,399,308				—				9,399,308
Short-Term Investments:
Repurchase Agreements			—				8,551,799				—				8,551,799
Investments in Derivatives:
Options Written			(5,037	)			—				—				(5,037	)
Interest Rate Swaps****			—				(259,309	)			—				(259,309	)
Total		$	188,680,821			$	103,683,115			$	—	***		$	292,363,936

*	Refer to the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments for industry classifications.

**	Refer to the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments for breakdown of these securities classified as Level 2 and/or Level 3.

***	Value equals zero as of the end of the reporting period.

****	Represents net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) as reported in the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.

The Board is responsible for the valuation process and has appointed the oversight of the daily valuation process to the Adviser’s Valuation Committee. The Valuation Committee, pursuant to the valuation policies and procedures adopted by the Board, is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the Fund’s pricing policies and reporting to the Board. The Valuation Committee is aided in its efforts by the Adviser’s dedicated Securities Valuation Team, which is responsible for administering the daily valuation process and applying fair value methodologies as approved by the Valuation Committee. When determining the reliability of independent pricing services for investments owned by the Fund, the Valuation Committee, among other things, conducts due diligence reviews of the pricing services and monitors the quality of security prices received through various testing reports conducted by the Securities Valuation Team.

 

Nuveen Investments			35

---

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

The Valuation Committee will consider pricing methodologies it deems relevant and appropriate when making a fair value determination, based on the facts and circumstances specific to the portfolio instrument. Fair value determinations generally will be derived as follows, using public or private market information:

 

(i)

If available, fair value determinations shall be derived by extrapolating from recent transactions or quoted prices for identical or comparable securities.

 

(ii)

If such information is not available, an analytical valuation methodology may be used based on other available information including, but not limited to: analyst appraisals, research reports, corporate action information, issuer financial statements and shelf registration statements. Such analytical valuation methodologies may include, but are not limited to: multiple of earnings, discount from market value of a similar freely-traded security, discounted cash flow analysis, book value or a multiple thereof, risk premium/yield analysis, yield to maturity and/or fundamental investment analysis.

The purchase price of a portfolio instrument will be used to fair value the instrument only if no other valuation methodology is available or deemed appropriate, and it is determined that the purchase price fairly reflects the instrument’s current value.

For each portfolio security that has been fair valued pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board, the fair value price is compared against the last available and next available market quotations. The Valuation Committee reviews the results of such testing and fair valuation occurrences are reported to the Board.

3. Portfolio Securities and Investments in Derivatives

Portfolio Securities

Foreign Currency Transactions

To the extent that the Fund invests in securities and/or contracts that are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, the Fund will be subject to currency risk, which is the risk that an increase in the U.S. dollar relative to the foreign currency will reduce returns or portfolio value. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the Fund’s investments denominated in that currency will lose value because their currency is worth fewer U.S. dollars; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value. Investments and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars on a spot (i.e. cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market at the time of valuation. Purchases and sales of investments and income denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars on the respective dates of such transactions.

As of the end of the reporting period, the Fund’s investments in non-U.S. securities were as follows:

 

		Value				% of Total Investments
Country:
United Kingdom		$	22,255,827				7.6	%
Germany			17,252,042				5.9
Switzerland			13,819,381				4.7
Netherlands			9,453,302				3.2
France			8,186,492				2.8
Other countries			41,384,695				14.2
Total non-U.S. securities		$	112,351,739				38.4	%

The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currencies, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Investment transactions, income and expenses are translated on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized foreign currency gains and losses resulting from changes in exchange rates include foreign currency gains and losses between trade date and settlement date of the transactions, foreign currency transactions and the difference between the amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the books of a Fund and the amounts actually received.

The realized gains and losses resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and changes in foreign exchange rates associated with (i) investments, (ii) investments in derivatives and (iii) other assets and liabilities are recognized as a component of “Net realized gain (loss) from investments and foreign currency” on the Statement of Operations, when applicable.

The unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and changes in foreign exchange rates associated with (i) investments and (ii) other assets and liabilities are recognized as a component of “Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and foreign currency” on the Statement of Operations, when applicable. The unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates associated with investments in derivatives are recognized as a component of the respective derivative’s related “Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)” on the Statement of Operations, when applicable.

 

	36			Nuveen Investments

---

 

Repurchase Agreements

In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, it is the Fund’s policy that its custodian take possession of the underlying collateral securities, the fair value of which exceeds the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest, at all times. If the counterparty defaults, and the fair value of the collateral declines, realization of the collateral may be delayed or limited.

The following table presents the repurchase agreements for the Fund that are subject to netting agreements as of the end of the reporting period, and the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements.

 

Counterparty		Short-Term Investments, at Value				Collateral Pledged (From) Counterparty*				Net Exposure
Fixed Income Clearing Corporation		$	8,551,799			$	(8,551,799	)		$	—

*	As of the end of the reporting period, the value of the collateral pledged from the counterparty exceeded the value of the repurchase agreements. Refer to the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments for details on the repurchase agreements.

Zero Coupon Securities

A zero coupon security does not pay a regular interest coupon to its holders during the life of the security. Income to the holder of the security comes from accretion of the difference between the original purchase price of the security at issuance and the par value of the security at maturity and is effectively paid at maturity. The market prices of zero coupon securities generally are more volatile than the market prices of securities that pay interest periodically.

Investments in Derivatives

The Fund is authorized to invest in certain derivative instruments, such as futures, options and swap contracts. The Fund limits its investments in futures, options on futures and swap contracts to the extent necessary for the Adviser to claim the exclusion from registration by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a commodity pool operator with respect to the Fund. The Fund records derivative instruments at fair value with changes in fair value recognized on the Statement of Operations, when applicable. Even though the Fund’s investments in derivatives may represent economic hedges, they are not considered to be hedge transactions for financial reporting purposes.

Options Transactions

The purchase of options involves the risk of loss of all or a part of the cash paid for the options (the premium). The market risk associated with purchasing options is limited to the premium paid. The counterparty credit risk of purchasing options, however, needs also to take into account the current value of the option, as this is the performance expected from the counterparty. When the Fund purchases an option, an amount equal to the premium paid (the premium plus commission) is recognized as a component of “Options purchased, at value” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the net premium received (the premium less commission) is recognized as a component of “Options written, at value” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and is subsequently adjusted to reflect the current value of the written option until the option is exercised or expires or the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction. The changes in the value of options purchased during the fiscal period are recognized as a component of “Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of options purchased” on the Statement of Operations. The changes in the value of options written during the fiscal period are recognized as a component of “Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of options written” on the Statement of Operations. When an option is exercised or expires or the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, the difference between the net premium received and any amount paid at expiration or on executing a closing purchase transaction, including commission, is recognized as a component of “Net realized gain (loss) from options purchased and/or written” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund, as a writer of an option, has no control over whether the underlying instrument may be sold (called) or purchased (put) and as a result bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the market value of the instrument underlying the written option. There is also the risk the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid market.

During the current fiscal period, the Fund continued to write call options on individual stocks, while investing in these same stocks, to enhance returns while foregoing some upside potential.

The average notional amount of options written outstanding during the current fiscal period was as follows:

 

Average notional amount of options written outstanding*		$(1,750,333)

*	The average notional amount is calculated based on the outstanding notional at the beginning of the fiscal period and at the end of each fiscal quarter within the current fiscal period.

 

Nuveen Investments			37

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Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

The following table presents the fair value of all options written by the Fund as of the end of the reporting period, the location of these instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and the primary underlying risk exposure.

 

Location on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Underlying Risk Exposure

Derivative Instrument

Asset Derivatives

(Liability) Derivatives

Location

Value

Location

Value

Equity price

Options written

—

$

—

Options written, at value

$

(5,037

)

The following table presents the amount of net realized gain (loss) and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) recognized on options written on the Statement of Operations during the current fiscal period, and the primary underlying risk exposure.

 

Underlying Risk Exposure		Derivative Instrument		Net Realized Gain (Loss) from Options Written				Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Options Written
Equity price		Options written		$	248,022			$	14,517

Swap Contracts

Interest rate swap contracts involve the Fund’s agreement with the counterparty to pay or receive a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty receiving or paying a variable rate payment. Forward interest rate swap contracts involve the Fund’s agreement with a counterparty to pay, in the future, a fixed or variable rate payment in exchange for the counterparty paying the Fund a variable or fixed rate payment, the accruals for which would begin at a specified date in the future (the “effective date”). The amount of the payment obligation is based on the notional amount of the swap contract and the termination date of the swap contract. Swap contracts do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to the swap counterparty on such transactions is limited to the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is to receive.

Interest rate swap contracts are valued daily. Upon entering into an interest rate swap contract (and beginning on the effective date for a forward interest rate swap contract), the Fund accrues the fixed rate payment expected to be paid or received and the variable rate payment expected to be received or paid on the interest rate swap contracts on a daily basis, and recognizes the daily change in the fair value of the Fund’s contractual rights and obligations under the contracts. For over-the-counter (“OTC”) swaps, the net amount recorded on these transactions, for each counterparty, is recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a component of “Unrealized appreciation or depreciation on interest rate swaps (, net).”

Upon the execution of an exchanged-cleared swap contract, in certain instances the Fund is obligated to deposit cash or eligible securities, also known as “initial margin,” into an account at its clearing broker equal to a specified percentage of the contract amount. Cash held by the broker to cover initial margin requirements on open swap contracts, if any, is recognized as a component of “Cash collateral at brokers” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Investments in exchange-cleared interest rate swap contracts obligate the Fund and the clearing broker to settle monies on a daily basis representing changes in the prior day’s “mark-to-market” of the swap contract. If the Fund has unrealized appreciation, the clearing broker will credit the Fund’s account with an amount equal to the appreciation. Conversely, if the Fund has unrealized depreciation, the clearing broker will debit the Fund’s account with an amount equal to the depreciation. These daily cash settlements are also known as “variation margin.” Variation margin is recognized as a receivable and/or payable for “Variation margin on swap contracts” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The net amount of periodic payments settled in cash are recognized as a component of “Net realized gain (loss) from swaps” on the Statement of Operations, in addition to the net realized gain or loss recorded upon the termination of the swap contract. For tax purposes, payments expected to be received or paid on the swap contacts are treated as ordinary income or expense, respectively.

Changes in the value of the swap contracts during the fiscal period are recognized as a component of “Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of swaps.” In certain instances, payments are made or received upon entering into the swap contract to compensate for differences between the stated terms of the swap agreements and prevailing market conditions (credit spreads, currency exchange rates, interest rates, and other relevant factors). Payments received or made at the beginning of the measurement period, if any, are recognized as “Interest rate swaps premiums paid and/or received” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

During the current fiscal period, the Fund continued to utilize interest rate swap contracts to partially fix its interest cost of leverage, which the Fund employs through the use of bank borrowings.

The average notional amount of interest rate swap contracts outstanding during the current fiscal period was as follows:

 

Average notional amount of interest rate swap contracts outstanding*		$36,950,000

*	The average notional amount is calculated based on the outstanding notional at the beginning of the fiscal period and at the end of each fiscal quarter within the current fiscal period.

 

	38			Nuveen Investments

---

 

The following table presents the fair value of all interest swap contracts held by the Fund as of the end of the reporting period, the location of these instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and the primary underlying risk exposure.

 

Location on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Underlying Risk Exposure

Derivative Instrument

Asset Derivatives

(Liability) Derivatives

Location

Value

Location

Value

Interest rate

Swaps

—

$

—

Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swaps

$

(259,309

)

The following table presents the swap contracts subject to netting agreements and the collateral delivered related to those swap contracts, as of the end of the reporting period.

 

Counterparty		Gross Unrealized Appreciation on Interest Rate Swaps*				Gross Unrealized (Depreciation) on Interest Rate Swaps*				Amounts Netted on Statement of Assets and Liabilities				Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Interest Rate Swaps				Collateral Pledged to (from) Counterparty				Net Exposure
JPMorgan		$	—			$	(259,309	)		$	—			$	(259,309	)		$	259,309			$	—

*	Represents gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for the counterparty as reported in the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.

The following table presents the amount of net realized gain (loss) and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) recognized on swap contracts on the Statement of Operations during the current fiscal period, and the primary underlying risk exposure.

 

Underlying Risk Exposure		Derivative Instrument		Net Realized Gain (Loss) from Swaps				Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Swaps
Interest rate		Swaps		$	—			$	(359,543	)

Market and Counterparty Credit Risk

In the normal course of business the Fund may invest in financial instruments and enter into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk) or failure of the other party to the transaction to perform (counterparty credit risk). The potential loss could exceed the value of the financial assets recorded on the financial statements. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Fund to counterparty credit risk, consist principally of cash due from counterparties on forward, option and swap transactions, when applicable. The extent of the Fund’s exposure to counterparty credit risk in respect to these financial assets approximates their carrying value as recorded on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund helps manage counterparty credit risk by entering into agreements only with counterparties the Adviser believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by having the Adviser monitor the financial stability of the counterparties. Additionally, counterparties may be required to pledge collateral daily (based on the daily valuation of the financial asset) on behalf of the Fund with a value approximately equal to the amount of any unrealized gain above a pre-determined threshold. Reciprocally, when the Fund has an unrealized loss, the Fund has instructed the custodian to pledge assets of the Fund as collateral with a value approximately equal to the amount of the unrealized loss above a pre-determined threshold. Collateral pledges are monitored and subsequently adjusted if and when the valuations fluctuate, either up or down, by at least the pre-determined threshold amount.

4. Fund Shares

Common Shares

Transactions in common shares during the current and prior fiscal periods were as follows:

 

		Six Months Ended 6/30/15				Year Ended 12/31/14
Common shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions			—				7,624

5. Investment Transactions

Long-term purchases and sales (including maturities but excluding derivative transactions) during the current fiscal period, were as follows:

 

Purchases		$	86,080,003
Sales and maturities			84,033,399

 

Nuveen Investments			39

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Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

Transactions in options written during the current fiscal period, were as follows:

 

		Number of Contracts				Premiums Received
Options outstanding, beginning of period			455			$	45,287
Options written			4,399				472,592
Options terminated in closing purchase transactions			(1,688	)			(177,145	)
Options exercised			(1,647	)			(122,036	)
Options expired			(1,450	)			(211,870	)
Options outstanding, end of period			69			$	6,828

6. Income Tax Information

The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment company taxable income to shareholders and to otherwise comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. In any year when the Fund realizes net capital gains, the Fund may choose to distribute all or a portion of its net capital gains to shareholders, or alternatively, to retain all or a portion of its net capital gains and pay federal corporate income taxes on such retained gains.

For all open tax years and all major taxing jurisdictions, management of the Fund has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. Open tax years are those that are open for examination by taxing authorities (i.e., generally the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then). Furthermore, management of the Fund is also not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.

The following information is presented on an income tax basis. Differences between amounts for financial statement and federal income tax purposes are primarily due to the recognition of premium amortization and timing differences in recognizing certain gains and losses on investment transactions. To the extent that differences arise that are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts as detailed below. Temporary differences do not require reclassification. Temporary and permanent differences do not impact the NAV of the Fund.

As of June 30, 2015, the cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments (excluding investments in derivatives), as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:

 

Cost of investments			$258,279,243
Gross unrealized:
Appreciation		$	40,626,026
Depreciation			(6,276,987	)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments		$	34,349,039

 

Permanent differences, primarily due to tax basis earnings and profits adjustments, treatment of notional principal contracts, complex securities character adjustments, investments in underlying funds, bond premium amortization adjustments, securities litigation settlements, and investments in preferred securities, resulted in reclassifications among the Fund’s components of common share net assets as of December 31, 2014, the Fund’s last tax year end, as follows:
Paid-in surplus		$	(7,781,335	)
Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income			7,496,690
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)			284,645
The tax components of undistributed net ordinary income and net long-term capital gains as of December 31, 2014, the Fund’s last tax year end, were as follows:
Undistributed net ordinary income		$	—
Undistributed net long-term capital gains			—
The tax character of distributions paid during the Fund’s last tax year ended December 31, 2014, was designated for purposes of the dividends paid deduction as follows:
Distributions from net ordinary income1		$	14,254,636
Distributions from net long-term capital gains			—
Return of capital			—
1      Net ordinary income consists of net taxable income derived from dividends and interest, and current year earnings and profits attributable to realized gains.

 

	40			Nuveen Investments

---

 

As of December 31, 2014, the Fund’s last tax year end, the Fund had unused capital loss carryforwards available for federal income tax purposes to be applied against future capital gains, if any. If not applied, the carryforwards will expire as shown in the following table. The losses not subject to expiration will be utilized first by the Fund.

 

Expiration:
December 31, 2016		$	34,103,330
December 31, 2017			32,157,951
Not subject to expiration			—
Total		$	66,261,281

During the last tax year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund utilized $13,054,447 of its capital loss carryforwards.

7. Management Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates

The Fund’s management fee compensates the Adviser for overall investment advisory and administrative services and general office facilities. The Sub-Advisers are compensated for their services to the Fund from the management fees paid to the Adviser.

The Fund’s management fee consists of two components – a fund-level fee, based only on the amount of assets within the Fund, and a complex-level fee, based on the aggregate amount of all eligible fund assets managed by the Adviser. This pricing structure enables Fund shareholders to benefit from growth in the assets within the Fund as well as from growth in the amount of complex-wide assets managed by the Adviser.

The annual Fund-level fee, payable monthly, is calculated according to the following schedule:

 

Average Daily Managed Assets*		Fund-Level Fee
For the first $500 million			0.7000	%
For the next $500 million			0.6750
For the next $500 million			0.6500
For the next $500 million			0.6250
For managed assets over $2 billion			0.6000

The annual complex-level fee, payable monthly, is calculated according to the following schedule:

 

Complex-Level Managed Asset Breakpoint Level*		Effective Rate at Breakpoint Level
$55 billion			0.2000	%
$56 billion			0.1996
$57 billion			0.1989
$60 billion			0.1961
$63 billion			0.1931
$66 billion			0.1900
$71 billion			0.1851
$76 billion			0.1806
$80 billion			0.1773
$91 billion			0.1691
$125 billion			0.1599
$200 billion			0.1505
$250 billion			0.1469
$300 billion			0.1445

*

For the fund-level and complex-level fees, managed assets include closed-end fund assets managed by the Adviser that are attributable to certain types of leverage. For these purposes, leverage includes the fund’s use of preferred stock and borrowings and certain investments in the residual interest certificates (also called inverse floating rate securities) in tender option bond (TOB) trusts, including the portion of assets held by a TOB trust that has been effectively financed by the trust’s issuance of floating rate securities, subject to an agreement by the Adviser as to certain funds to limit the amount of such assets for determining managed assets in certain circumstances. The complex-level fee is calculated based upon the aggregate daily managed assets of all Nuveen funds that constitute “eligible assets”. Eligible assets do not include assets attributable to investments in other Nuveen funds or assets in excess of $2 billion added to the Nuveen fund complex in connection with the Adviser’s assumption of the management of the former First American Funds effective January 1, 2011. As of June 30, 2015, the complex-level fee rate for the Fund was 0.1643%.

The Fund pays no compensation directly to those of its trustees who are affiliated with the Adviser or to its officers, all of whom receive remuneration for their services to the Fund from the Adviser or its affiliates. The Board has adopted a deferred compensation plan for independent trustees that enables trustees to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of the annual compensation they are entitled to receive from certain Nuveen-advised funds. Under the plan, deferred amounts are treated as though equal dollar amounts had been invested in shares of select Nuveen-advised funds.

 

Nuveen Investments			41

---

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

8. Senior Loan Commitments

Unfunded Commitments

Pursuant to the terms of certain of the variable rate senior loan agreements, the Fund may have unfunded senior loan commitments. The Fund will maintain with its custodian, cash, liquid securities and/or liquid senior loans having an aggregate value at least equal to the amount of unfunded senior loan commitments. As of the end of the reporting period, the Fund had no unfunded senior loan commitments.

Participation Commitments

With respect to the senior loans held in the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund may: 1) invest in assignments; 2) act as a participant in primary lending syndicates; or 3) invest in participations. If the Fund purchases a participation of a senior loan interest, the Fund would typically enter into a contractual agreement with the lender or other third party selling the participation, rather than directly with the borrower. As such, the Fund not only assumes the credit risk of the borrower, but also that of the selling participant or other persons interpositioned between the Fund and the borrower. As of the end of the reporting period, there were no such outstanding participation commitments.

9. Borrowing Arrangements

Borrowings

The Fund has entered into a $93 million (maximum commitment amount) prime brokerage facility (“Borrowings”) with BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage, Inc. (“BNP”) as a means of leverage. As of the end of the reporting period, the outstanding balance on these Borrowings was $89.4 million. Interest is charged on these Borrowings at 1-Month LIBOR (London Inter-Bank Offered Rate) plus 0.85% per annum on the amount borrowed and 0.50% per annum on the undrawn balance. The Fund is only charged the 0.50% per annum undrawn fee if the undrawn portion of the Borrowings on that day is more than 20% of the maximum commitment amount.

During the current fiscal period, the average daily balance outstanding and average annual interest rate on these Borrowings was $89.4 million and 1.03%, respectively.

In order to maintain these Borrowings, the Fund must meet certain collateral, asset coverage and other requirements. Borrowings outstanding are fully secured by securities held in the Fund’s portfolio of investments (“Pledged Collateral”).

Borrowings outstanding are recognized as “Borrowings” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Interest expense incurred on the borrowed amount and undrawn balance are recognized as a component of “Interest expense on borrowings” on the Statement of Operations.

Rehypothecation

The Adviser entered into a Rehypothecation Side Letter (“Side Letter”) with BNP, allowing BNP to re-register the Pledged Collateral in its own name or in a name other than the Fund’s to pledge, repledge, hypothecate, rehypothecate, sell, lend or otherwise transfer or use the Pledged Collateral (the “Hypothecated Securities”) with all rights of ownership as described in the Side Letter. Subject to certain conditions, the total value of the outstanding Hypothecated Securities shall not exceed the lesser of (i) 98% of the outstanding balance on the Borrowings to which the Pledged Collateral relates and (ii) 33 ¹⁄₃% of the Fund’s total assets. The Fund may designate any Pledged Collateral as ineligible for rehypothecation. The Fund may also recall Hypothecated Securities on demand.

The Fund also has the right to apply and set-off an amount equal to one-hundred percent (100%) of the then-current fair market value of such Pledged Collateral against the current Borrowings under the Side Letter in the event that BNP fails to timely return the Pledged Collateral and in certain other circumstances. In such circumstances, however, the Fund may not be able to obtain replacement financing required to purchase replacement securities and, consequently, the Fund’s income generating potential may decrease. Even if the Fund is able to obtain replacement financing, it might not be able to purchase replacement securities at favorable prices.

The Fund will receive a fee in connection with the Hypothecated Securities (“Rehypothecation Fees”) in addition to any principal, interest, dividends and other distributions paid on the Hypothecated Securities.

As of the end of the reporting period, the Fund had Hypothecated Securities totalling $2,546,100. During the current fiscal period the Fund earned Rehypothecation Fees of $67,050, which is recognized as “Other income” on the Statement of Operations.

10. New Accounting Pronouncement

Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures

In June 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures” (“ASU 2014-11”), that expanded secured borrowing accounting for certain reverse repurchase agreements. ASU 2014-11 also sets forth additional disclosure requirements for certain transactions accounted for as sales in order to provide financial statement users with information to compare to similar transactions accounted for as secured borrowings. ASU 2014-11 is effective prospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods beginning after March 15, 2015. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of ASU 2014-11 on the Fund’s financial statement disclosures.

 

	42			Nuveen Investments

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Additional

Fund Information

 

Board of Trustees
William Adams IV*		Jack B. Evans		William C. Hunter		David J. Kundert		John K. Nelson		William J. Schneider
Thomas S. Schreier, Jr.*		Judith M. Stockdale		Carole E. Stone		Virginia L. Stringer		Terence J. Toth

 

*	Interested Board Member.

 

Fund Manager Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606		Custodian State Street Bank & Trust Company Boston, MA 02111		Legal Counsel Chapman and Cutler LLP Chicago, IL 60603		Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm KPMG LLP Chicago, IL 60601		Transfer Agent and Shareholder Services State Street Bank & Trust Company Nuveen Funds P.O. Box 43071 Providence, RI 02940-3071 (800) 257-8787

 

 

Quarterly Form N-Q Portfolio of Investments Information

The Fund is required to file its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. You may obtain this information directly from the SEC. Visit the SEC on-line at http://www.sec.gov or in person at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call the SEC toll-free at (800) SEC-0330 for room hours and operation.

Nuveen Funds’ Proxy Voting Information

You may obtain (i) information regarding how each fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling Nuveen Investments toll-free at (800) 257-8787 or on Nuveen’s website at www.nuveen.com and (ii) a description of the policies and procedures that each fund used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities without charge, upon request, by calling Nuveen Investments toll free at (800) 257-8787. You may also obtain this information directly from the SEC. Visit the SEC on-line at http://www.sec.gov.

 

 

CEO Certification Disclosure

The Fund’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has submitted to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) the annual CEO certification as required by Section 303A.12(a) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. The Fund has filed with the SEC the certification of its CEO and Chief Financial Officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

 

Common Share Repurchases

The Fund intends to repurchase shares of its own common stock at such times and in such amounts as is deemed advisable. During the period covered by this report, the Fund repurchased shares of its common stock as shown in the accompanying table. Any future repurchases will be reported to shareholders in the next annual or semi-annual report.

 

		JTA
Common shares repurchased			—

FINRA BrokerCheck

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) provides information regarding the disciplinary history of FINRA member firms and associated investment professionals. This information as well as an investor brochure describing FINRA BrokerCheck is available to the public by calling the FINRA BrokerCheck Hotline number at (800) 289-9999 or by visiting www.FlNRA.org.

 

Nuveen Investments			43

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Glossary of Terms

Used in this Report

 

n

Average Annual Total Return: This is a commonly used method to express an investment’s performance over a particular, usually multi-year time period. It expresses the return that would have been necessary each year to equal the investment’s actual cumulative performance (including change in NAV or market price and reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions, if any) over the time period being considered.

 

n

Blended Benchmark: A blended return comprised of: 1) 56% of the return of the Russell 3000® Value Index, which measures the performance of those Russell 3000® Index companies with lower price-to book ratios and lower forecasted growth values, 2) 16% of the return of the MSCI EAFE ex-Japan Value Index, a capitalization weighted index that selects the lower 50% of the price-to-book ranked value stocks traded in the developed markets of Europe, Asia and the Far East, excluding Japan, 3) 8% of the return of the Merrill Lynch DRD (dividends received deduction) Preferred Index, which consists of investment-grade, DRD-eligible, exchange-traded preferred stocks with one year or more to maturity, and 4) 20% of the return of the CSFB Leveraged Loan Index, which consists of approximately $150 billion of tradable term loans with at least one year to maturity and rated BBB or lower. Index returns assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not include the effects of any applicable sales charges or management fees.

 

n

Collateralized Loan Obligation (CLO): A security backed by a pool of debt, often low rated corporate loans. Collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) are similar to collateralized mortgage obligations, except for the different type of underlying loan.

 

n

Effective Leverage: Effective leverage is a fund’s effective economic leverage, and includes both regulatory leverage (see below) and the leverage effects of certain derivative investments in the fund’s portfolio.

 

n

Leverage: Leverage is created whenever a fund has investment exposure (both reward and/or risk) equivalent to more than 100% of the investment capital.

 

n

Net Asset Value (NAV) Per Share: A fund’s Net Assets is equal to its total assets (securities, cash, accrued earnings and receivables) less its total liabilities. NAV per share is equal to the fund’s Net Assets divided by its number of shares outstanding.

 

n

Regulatory Leverage: Regulatory leverage consists of preferred shares issued by or borrowings of a fund. Both of these are part of the fund’s capital structure. Regulatory leverage is subject to asset coverage limits set in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

n

S&P 500® Index: An unmanaged index generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. Index returns assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not reflect any applicable sales charges or management fees.

 

	44			Nuveen Investments

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Reinvest Automatically,

Easily and Conveniently

 

 

Nuveen Investments			45

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Annual Investment

Management Agreement Approval Process (Unaudited)

 

The Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board,” and each Trustee, a “Board Member”), including the Board Members who are not parties to the Fund’s advisory or sub-advisory agreements or “interested persons” of any such parties (the “Independent Board Members”), is responsible for overseeing the performance of the investment adviser and the sub-advisers to the Fund and determining whether to continue the Fund’s advisory agreement (the “Investment Management Agreement”) between the Fund and Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”) and the sub-advisory agreements (each, a “Sub-Advisory Agreement” and, together with the Investment Management Agreement, the “Advisory Agreements”) between (a) the Adviser and NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC (“NWQ”) and (b) the Adviser and Symphony Asset Management LLC (“Symphony” and, together with NWQ, the “Sub-Advisers”). Following an initial term with respect to the Fund upon its commencement of operations, the Board is required to consider the continuation of the Advisory Agreements on an annual basis pursuant to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Accordingly, at an in-person meeting held on May 11-13, 2015 (the “May Meeting”), the Board, including a majority of the Independent Board Members, considered and approved the existing Advisory Agreements for the Fund.

In preparation for its considerations at the May Meeting, the Board received in advance of the meeting extensive materials prepared in connection with the review of the Advisory Agreements. The materials provided a broad range of information regarding the Fund, including, among other things, the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Adviser and the Sub-Advisers (the Adviser and Sub-Advisers are collectively, the “Fund Advisers” and each, a “Fund Adviser”); Fund performance including performance assessments against peers and the appropriate benchmark(s); fee and expense information of the Fund compared to peers; a description and assessment of shareholder service levels for the Fund; a summary of the performance of certain service providers; a review of product initiatives and shareholder communications; and profitability information of the Fund Advisers as described in further detail below. As part of its annual review, the Board also held a separate meeting on April 14-15, 2015 to review the Fund’s investment performance and consider an analysis by the Adviser of the Sub-Advisers which generally evaluated each Sub-Adviser’s investment team, investment mandate, organizational structure and history, investment philosophy and process, and the performance of the Fund, and any significant changes to the foregoing. During the review, the Independent Board Members asked questions of and requested additional information from management.

The Board considered that the evaluation process with respect to the Fund Advisers is an ongoing process that encompassed the information and knowledge gained throughout the year. The Board, acting directly or through its committees, met regularly during the course of the year and received information and considered factors at each meeting that would be relevant to its annual consideration of the Advisory Agreements, including information relating to Fund performance; Fund expenses; investment team evaluations; and valuation, compliance, regulatory and risk matters. In addition to regular reports, the Adviser provided special reports to the Board to enhance the Board’s understanding on topics that impact some or all of the Nuveen funds and the Adviser (such as presentations on risk and stress testing; the new governance, risk and compliance system; cybersecurity developments; Nuveen fund accounting and reporting matters; regulatory developments impacting the investment company industry and the business plans or other matters impacting the Adviser). The Board also met with key investment personnel managing certain Nuveen fund portfolios during the year.

The Board had created several standing committees including the Open-End Funds Committee and the Closed-End Funds Committee to assist the full Board in monitoring and gaining a deeper insight into the distinctive business practices of closed-end and open-end funds. These Committees met prior to each quarterly Board meeting, and the Adviser provided presentations to these Committees permitting them to delve further into specific matters or initiatives impacting the respective product line.

The Board also continued its program of seeking to have the Board Members or a subset thereof visit each sub-adviser to the Nuveen funds at least once over a multiple year rotation, meeting with key investment and business personnel. In this regard, the Independent Board Members made a site visit to NWQ in January 2015.

The Board considered the information provided and knowledge gained at these meetings and visits during the year when performing its annual review of the Advisory Agreements. The Independent Board Members also were assisted throughout the

 

	46			Nuveen Investments

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process by independent legal counsel. During the course of the year and during their deliberations regarding the review of advisory contracts, the Independent Board Members met with independent legal counsel in executive sessions without management present. The Independent Board Members also received a memorandum from independent legal counsel outlining the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed continuation of the Advisory Agreements. In addition, it is important to recognize that the management arrangements for the Nuveen funds are the result of many years of review and discussion between the Independent Board Members and fund management and that the Board Members’ conclusions may be based, in part, on their consideration of fee arrangements and other factors developed in previous years.

The Board took into account all factors it believed relevant with respect to the Fund, including, among other things: (a) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Fund Advisers; (b) the investment performance of the Fund and Fund Advisers; (c) the advisory fees and costs of the services to be provided to the Fund and the profitability of the Fund Advisers; (d) the extent of any economies of scale; (e) any benefits derived by the Fund Advisers from the relationship with the Fund; and (f) other factors. Each Board Member may have accorded different weight to the various factors in reaching his or her conclusions with respect to the Advisory Agreements of the Fund. The Independent Board Members did not identify any single factor as all-important or controlling. The Independent Board Members’ considerations were instead based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information presented. The principal factors considered by the Board and its conclusions are described below.

 

A.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

In evaluating the renewal of the Advisory Agreements, the Independent Board Members received and considered information regarding the nature, extent and quality of the applicable Fund Adviser’s services provided to the Fund. The Board reviewed information regarding, among other things, each Fund Adviser’s organization and business, the types of services that each Fund Adviser or its affiliates provided to the Fund, the performance record of the Fund (as described in further detail below), and any initiatives that had been undertaken on behalf of the closed-end product line. The Board recognized the high quality of services the Adviser had provided to the Fund over the years and the conscientiousness with which the Adviser provided these services. The Board also considered the improved capital structure of Nuveen Investments, Inc. (“Nuveen”) (the parent of the Adviser) following the acquisition of Nuveen by TIAA-CREF in 2014 (the “TIAA-CREF Transaction”).

With respect to the services, the Board noted the Fund was a registered investment company that operated in a regulated industry and considered the myriad of investment management, administrative, compliance, oversight and other services the Adviser provided to manage and operate the Fund. Such services included, among other things: (a) product management (such as analyzing ways to better position a Nuveen fund in the marketplace, setting dividends; maintaining relationships to gain access to distribution platforms; and providing shareholder communications); (b) fund administration (such as preparing tax returns and other tax compliance services, preparing regulatory filings and shareholder reports; managing fund budgets and expenses; overseeing a fund’s various service providers and supporting and analyzing new and existing funds); (c) Board administration (such as supporting the Board and its committees, in relevant part, by organizing and administering the Board and committee meetings and preparing the necessary reports to assist the Board in its duties); (d) compliance (such as monitoring adherence to a fund’s investment policies and procedures and applicable law; reviewing the compliance program periodically and developing new policies or updating existing compliance policies and procedures as considered necessary or appropriate; responding to regulatory requests; and overseeing compliance testing of the funds’ sub-advisers); (e) legal support (such as preparing or reviewing fund registration statements, proxy statements and other necessary materials; interpreting regulatory requirements and compliance thereof; and maintaining applicable registrations); and (f) investment services (such as overseeing and reviewing the funds’ sub-advisers and their investment teams; analyzing performance of the funds; overseeing investment and risk management; evaluating brokerage transactions and securities lending, overseeing the daily valuation process for portfolio securities and developing and recommending valuation policies and methodologies and changes thereto; reporting to the Board on various matters including performance, risk and valuation; and participating in fund development, leverage management, and the developing or interpreting of investment policies and parameters). With respect to closed-end funds, the Adviser also monitored asset coverage levels on leveraged funds, managed leverage, negotiated the terms of leverage, evaluated alternative forms and types of leverage, promoted an orderly secondary market for common shares and maintained an asset maintenance system for compliance with certain rating agency criteria.

 

Nuveen Investments			47

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Annual Investment Management Agreement Approval Process (Unaudited) (continued)

 

In its review, the Board considered information highlighting the various initiatives that the Adviser had implemented or continued during the last year to enhance its services to the Nuveen funds. The Board recognized that some of these initiatives are a result of a multi-year process. In reviewing the activities of 2014, the Board recognized the Adviser’s continued focus on fund rationalization for closed-end funds through mergers, fund closures or repositioning the funds in seeking to enhance shareholder value, reduce costs, improve performance, eliminate fund overlap and better meet shareholder needs. The Board noted the Adviser’s investment in additional staffing to strengthen and improve its services to the Nuveen funds, including with respect to risk management and valuation. The Board recognized that expanding the depth and range of its risk oversight activities had been a major priority for the Adviser in recent years, and the Adviser continued to add to the risk management team, develop additional risk management programs and create committees or other teams designated to oversee or evaluate certain risks, such as liquidity risk, enterprise risk, investment risk and cybersecurity risk. The Adviser had also continued to add to the valuation team, launched its centralized securities valuation system which is intended to provide for uniform pricing and reporting across the complex as the system continues to develop, continued to refine its valuation analysis and updated related policies and procedures and evaluated and assessed pricing services. The Board considered the Adviser’s ongoing investment in information technology and operations and the various projects of the information technology team to support the continued growth and complexity of the Nuveen funds and increase efficiencies in their operations. The Board also recognized the Adviser’s strong commitment to compliance and reviewed information reflecting the compliance group’s ongoing activities to enhance its compliance system and refine its compliance procedures as well as the Chief Compliance Officer’s report regarding the compliance team, the initiatives the team had undertaken in 2014 and proposed for 2015, the compliance functions and reporting process, the record of compliance with the policies and procedures and its supervision activities of other service providers.

With respect to the closed-end funds, the Board recognized the extensive resources, expertise and efforts required to oversee and manage the various forms of leverage utilized by various funds, including the development of new forms of leverage to achieve cost savings and/or broaden the array of leverage structures available to the closed-end funds, the development of enhanced reports analyzing the impact of leverage on performance, and the development of new forms of tender option bond structures to address new regulatory requirements. The Board also noted the Adviser’s continued capital management services conducting share repurchases and/or share issuances throughout the year and monitoring market conditions to capitalize on opportunities for the closed-end funds. The Board further recognized the Adviser’s use of data systems to more effectively solicit shareholder participation when seeking shareholder approvals and to monitor flow trends in various closed-end funds. The Board considered Nuveen’s continued commitment to supporting the closed-end fund product line by providing an extensive investor relations program that encompassed, among other things, maintaining and enhancing the closed-end fund website; participating in conferences and education seminars; enhancing the ability for investors to access information; preparing educational materials; and implementing campaigns to educate financial advisers and investors on topics related to closed-end funds and their strategies.

As noted, the Adviser also oversees the Sub-Advisers who primarily provide the portfolio advisory services to the Fund. The Board recognized the skill and competency of the Adviser in monitoring and analyzing the performance of the Sub-Advisers and managing the sub-advisory relationships. In considering the Sub-Advisory Agreements and supplementing its prior knowledge, the Board considered a current report provided by the Adviser analyzing, among other things, each Sub-Adviser’s investment team and changes thereto, investment approach, organization and history, and assets under management, and the investment performance of the portion of the Fund’s portfolio allocated to the respective Sub-Adviser.

Based on their review, the Independent Board Members found that, overall, the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under each respective Advisory Agreement were satisfactory.

 

B.

The Investment Performance of the Fund and Fund Advisers

The Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered the performance history of the Fund over various time periods. The Board reviewed reports, including an analysis of the Fund’s performance and its investment teams. The Board reviewed, among other things, the Fund’s investment performance both on an absolute basis and in comparison to peer funds (the “Performance Peer Group”) and to recognized and/or customized benchmarks (i.e., generally benchmarks derived from multiple recognized benchmarks) for the quarter, one-, three- and five-year periods ending December 31, 2014, as well as performance information reflecting the first quarter of 2015. The Independent Board Members also reviewed, among other

 

	48			Nuveen Investments

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things, the returns of each sleeve of the Fund relative to the benchmark of such sleeve for the quarter, one-, three- and five-year periods ending December 31, 2014, as well as performance information reflecting the first quarter of 2015. With respect to closed-end funds, the Independent Board Members also recognized the importance of the secondary market trading levels for the closed-end fund shares and therefore devoted significant time and focus evaluating the premium and discount levels of the closed-end funds at each of the quarterly meetings throughout the year. At these prior meetings as well as the May Meeting, the Board reviewed, among other things, the respective closed-end fund’s premium or discount to net asset value as of a specified date and over various periods as well as in comparison to the premium/discount average in its Lipper peer category. At the May Meeting and/or prior meetings, the Board also reviewed information regarding the key economic, market and competitive trends affecting the closed-end fund market and considered any actions periodically proposed by the Adviser to address the trading discounts of certain funds. The Independent Board Members considered the evaluation of the premium and discount levels of the closed-end funds (either at the Board level or through the Closed-End Funds Committee) to be a continuing priority in their oversight of the closed-end funds. In its review, the Board noted that it also reviewed Fund performance results at each of its quarterly meetings.

In evaluating performance, the Board recognized several factors that may impact the performance data as well as the consideration given to particular performance data.

 

•

The performance data reflected a snapshot in time, in this case as of the end of the most recent calendar year or quarter. A different performance period, however, could generate significantly different results.

 

•

Long-term performance can be adversely affected by even one period of significant underperformance so that a single investment decision or theme had the ability to disproportionately affect long-term performance.

 

•

The investment experience of a particular shareholder in a fund would vary depending on when such shareholder invested in the fund, the class held (if multiple classes are offered in the fund) and the performance of the fund (or respective class) during that shareholder’s investment period.

 

•

The Board recognized that the funds in the Performance Peer Group may differ somewhat from the Nuveen fund with which it is being compared and due to these differences, performance comparisons between certain of the Nuveen funds and their Performance Peer Groups may be inexact and the relevancy limited. The Board considered that management had classified the Performance Peer Group as low, medium and high in relevancy. The Board took the analysis of the relevancy of the Performance Peer Group into account when considering the comparative performance data. The Board also considered comparative performance of an applicable benchmark. While the Board was cognizant of the relative performance of the Fund’s peer set and/or benchmark(s), the Board evaluated Fund performance in light of the Fund’s investment objectives, investment parameters and guidelines and considered that the variations between the objectives and investment parameters or guidelines of the Fund with its peers and/or benchmarks result in differences in performance results. Further, for funds that utilized leverage, the Board understood that leverage during different periods could provide both benefits and risks to a portfolio as compared to an unlevered benchmark.

With respect to any Nuveen funds for which the Board has identified performance concerns, the Board monitors such funds closely until performance improves, discusses with the Adviser the reasons for such results, considers those steps necessary or appropriate to address such issues, and reviews the results of any efforts undertaken. The Board is aware, however, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in a fund knowing that the Adviser manages the fund and knowing the fund’s fee structure.

In considering the performance data, the Independent Board Members noted that the Fund ranked in its Performance Peer Group in the third quartile in the one-year period and second quartile in the three- and five-year periods. Although the Fund underperformed its benchmark in the one-year period, it outperformed its benchmark in the three- and five-year periods.

Based on their review, the Independent Board Members determined that the Fund’s investment performance had been satisfactory.

 

Nuveen Investments			49

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Annual Investment Management Agreement Approval Process (Unaudited) (continued)

 

 

C.

Fees, Expenses and Profitability

1.

Fees and Expenses

The Board evaluated the management fees and other fees and expenses of the Fund (expressed as a percentage of average net assets) in absolute terms and in comparison to the fee and expense levels of a comparable universe of funds (the “Peer Universe”) selected by an independent third-party fund data provider. The Independent Board Members reviewed the methodology regarding the construction of the Peer Universe for the Fund. The Board reviewed, among other things, the Fund’s gross management fees, net management fees and net expense ratios in absolute terms as well as compared to the average and median fee and expense levels of the Peer Universe. The Board noted that the net total expense ratio paid by investors in the Fund was the most representative of an investor’s net experience.

In reviewing the comparative fee and expense information, the Independent Board Members recognized that various factors such as the limited size and particular composition of the Peer Universe (including the inclusion of other Nuveen funds in the peer set); expense anomalies; changes in the funds comprising the Peer Universe from year to year; levels of reimbursement or fee waivers; the timing of information used; the differences in the type and use of leverage (with respect to closed-end funds); and differences in services provided can impact the comparative data limiting the usefulness of the data to help make a conclusive assessment of the Fund’s fees and expenses.

In reviewing the fee schedule for a fund, the Independent Board Members also considered the fund-level and complex-wide breakpoint schedules (described in further detail below) and any fee waivers and reimbursements provided by Nuveen. In reviewing fees and expenses (excluding leverage costs and leveraged assets for the closed-end funds), the Board considered the expenses and fees to be higher if they were over 10 basis points higher, slightly higher if they were approximately 6 to 10 basis points higher, in line if they were within approximately 5 basis points higher than the peer average and below if they were below the peer average of the Peer Universe. In reviewing the reports, the Board noted that the majority of the Nuveen funds had a net expense ratio near or below their peer average.

The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund had a net management fee and a net expense ratio that were below the peer average.

Based on their review of the fee and expense information provided, the Independent Board Members determined that the Fund’s management fees (as applicable) to a Fund Adviser were reasonable in light of the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund.

 

2.

Comparisons with the Fees of Other Clients

The Board considered information regarding the fees a Fund Adviser assessed to the Nuveen funds compared to that of other clients as described in further detail below. With respect to non-municipal funds, such other clients of the Adviser and/or its affiliated sub-advisers may include: separately managed accounts (such as retail, institutional or wrap accounts), hedge funds, other investment companies that are not offered by Nuveen but are sub-advised by one of Nuveen’s affiliated sub-advisers, foreign investment companies offered by Nuveen, and collective investment trusts.

The Board recognized that the Fund had two affiliated sub-advisers and therefore the overall Fund management fee can be divided into two components, the fee retained by the Adviser and the fee paid to the Sub-Advisers. In reviewing the nature of the services provided by the Adviser, including through its affiliated sub-advisers, the Board considered the range of advisory fee rates for retail and institutional managed accounts advised by Nuveen-affiliated sub-advisers. The Board also reviewed, among other things, the average fee the affiliated sub-advisers assessed such clients as well as the range of fee rates assessed to the different types of clients (such as retail, institutional and wrap accounts as well as non-Nuveen funds) applicable to such sub-advisers. With respect to Symphony, such other clients included equity and taxable fixed-income hedge funds and the Board reviewed the average fee rate and range of fee rates along with the performance fee assessed such clients.

In reviewing the comparative information, the Board also reviewed information regarding the differences between the Fund and the other clients, including differences in services provided, investment policies, investor profiles, compliance and regulatory requirements and account sizes. The Board recognized the breadth of services necessary to operate a registered investment company (as described above) and that, in general terms, the Adviser provided the administrative and other support services to the Fund and, although the Sub-Advisers may provide some of these services, the Sub-Advisers

 

	50			Nuveen Investments

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essentially provided the portfolio management services. In general, the Board noted that higher fee levels reflected higher levels of service provided by the Fund Adviser, increased investment management complexity, greater product management requirements and higher levels of business risk or some combination of the foregoing. The Independent Board Members considered the differences in structure and operations of separately managed accounts and hedge funds from registered funds and noted that the range of day-to-day services was not generally of the breadth required for the registered funds. Many of the additional administrative services provided by the Adviser were not required for institutional clients or funds sub-advised by a Nuveen-affiliated sub-adviser that were offered by other fund groups. The Independent Board Members also recognized that the management fee rates of the foreign funds advised by the Adviser may vary due to, among other things, differences in the client base, governing bodies, operational complexities and services covered by the management fee. Given the inherent differences in the various products, particularly the extensive services provided to the Fund, the Independent Board Members believed such facts justify the different levels of fees.

 

3.

Profitability of Fund Advisers

In conjunction with their review of fees, the Independent Board Members also considered the profitability of Nuveen for its advisory activities and its financial condition. The Independent Board Members reviewed, among other things, the adjusted operating margins for Nuveen for the last two calendar years, the revenues, expenses, net income (pre-tax and after-tax) and net revenue margins (pre-tax and after-tax) of Nuveen’s managed fund advisory activities for the last two calendar years, the allocation methodology used by Nuveen in preparing the profitability data and a history of the adjustments to the methodology due to changes in the business over time. The Independent Board Members also reviewed the revenues, expenses, net income (pre-tax and after-tax) and revenue margin (pre-tax and post-tax) of the Adviser and, as described in further detail below, each affiliated sub-adviser for the 2014 calendar year. In reviewing the profitability data, the Independent Board Members noted the subjective nature of cost allocation methodologies used to determine profitability as other reasonable methods could also have been employed but yield different results. The Independent Board Members reviewed an analysis of the key drivers behind the changes in revenues and expenses that impacted profitability in 2014. The Independent Board Members recognized that Nuveen’s net revenue margin from advisory activities for 2014 was consistent with 2013. The Independent Board Members also considered the profitability of Nuveen in comparison to the adjusted operating margins of other investment advisers with publicly available data and with comparable assets under management (based on asset size and asset composition) to Nuveen. The Independent Board Members noted that Nuveen’s adjusted operating margins appeared to be reasonable in relation to such other advisers. The Independent Board Members, however, recognized the difficulty of making comparisons of profitability from fund investment advisory contracts as the information is not generally publicly available, the information for the investment advisers that was publicly available may not be representative of the industry and various other factors would impact the profitability data such as differences in services offered, business mix, expense methodology and allocations, capital structure and costs, complex size, and types of funds and other accounts managed.

The Independent Board Members noted this information supplemented the profitability information requested and received during the year and noted that two Independent Board Members served as point persons to review the profitability analysis and methodologies employed, and any changes thereto, and to keep the Board apprised of such changes during the year.

The Independent Board Members determined that Nuveen appeared to be sufficiently profitable to operate as a viable investment management firm and to honor its obligations as a sponsor of the Nuveen funds. The Independent Board Members noted the Adviser’s continued expenditures to upgrade its investment technology and increase personnel and recognized the Adviser’s continued commitment to its business to enhance the Adviser’s capacity and capabilities in providing the services necessary to meet the needs of the Nuveen funds as they grow or change over time. The Independent Board Members also noted that the sub-advisory fees for the Nuveen funds are paid by the Adviser, however, the Board recognized that many of the sub-advisers, including each of the Sub-Advisers, are affiliated with Nuveen. The Independent Board Members also noted the increased resources and support available to Nuveen as well as an improved capital structure as a result of the TIAA-CREF Transaction.

With respect to the Sub-Advisers, the Independent Board Members reviewed each Sub-Adviser’s revenues, expenses and revenue margins (pre- and post-tax) for its advisory activities for the calendar year ended December 31, 2014.

In evaluating the reasonableness of the compensation, the Independent Board Members also considered other amounts paid to a Fund Adviser by the Fund as well as indirect benefits (such as soft dollar arrangements), if any, the Fund Adviser and its

 

Nuveen Investments			51

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Annual Investment Management Agreement Approval Process (Unaudited) (continued)

 

affiliates received or were expected to receive that were directly attributable to the management of the Fund. See Section E below for additional information on indirect benefits a Fund Adviser may receive as a result of its relationship with the Fund.

Based on their review, the Independent Board Members determined that the Adviser’s and each Sub-Adviser’s level of profitability was reasonable in light of the respective services provided.

 

D.

Economies of Scale and Whether Fee Levels Reflect These Economies of Scale

The Independent Board Members recognized that, as the assets of a particular fund or the Nuveen complex in the aggregate increase over time, economies of scale may be realized, and the Independent Board Members considered the extent to which the funds benefit from such economies of scale. Although the Independent Board Members recognized that economies of scale are difficult to measure, the Board recognized that one method to help ensure the shareholders share in these benefits is to include breakpoints in the management fee schedule reducing fee rates as asset levels grow. The Independent Board Members noted that, subject to certain exceptions, the management fees of the funds in the Nuveen complex are generally comprised of a fund-level component and complex-level component. Each component of the management fee for the Fund included breakpoints to reduce management fee rates of the Fund as the Fund grows and, as described below, as the Nuveen complex grows. The Independent Board Members noted that, in the case of closed-end funds, however, such funds may from time-to-time make additional share offerings, but the growth of their assets would occur primarily through the appreciation of such funds’ investment portfolios. In addition to fund-specific breakpoint schedules which reduce the fee rates of a particular fund as its assets increase, the Independent Board Members recognized that the Adviser also passed on the benefits of economies of scale through the complex-wide fee arrangement which reduced management fee rates as assets in the fund complex reached certain levels. The complex-wide fee arrangement seeks to provide the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund complex assets increase, even if assets of a particular fund are unchanged or have decreased. The approach reflected the notion that some of Nuveen’s costs were attributable to services provided to all its funds in the complex, and therefore all funds benefit if these costs were spread over a larger asset base. The Independent Board Members reviewed the breakpoint and complex-wide schedules and the fee reductions achieved as a result of such structures for the 2014 calendar year.

The Independent Board Members further considered that as part of the TIAA-CREF Transaction, Nuveen agreed, for a period of two years from the date of the closing of the TIAA-CREF Transaction, not to increase contractual management fees for any Nuveen fund. The commitment would not limit or otherwise affect mergers or liquidations of any funds in the ordinary course.

Based on their review, the Independent Board Members concluded that the current fee structure was acceptable and reflected economies of scale to be shared with shareholders when assets under management increase.

 

E.

Indirect Benefits

The Independent Board Members received and considered information regarding potential “fall out” or ancillary benefits the respective Fund Adviser or its affiliates may receive as a result of its relationship with the Fund. With respect to closed-end funds, the Independent Board Members noted any revenues received by affiliates of the Adviser for serving as co-manager in initial public offerings of new closed-end funds.

In addition to the above, the Independent Board Members considered whether the Fund Adviser received any benefits from soft dollar arrangements whereby a portion of the commissions paid by the Fund for brokerage may be used to acquire research that may be useful to the Fund Adviser in managing the assets of the Fund and other clients. The Fund’s portfolio transactions are allocated by the Sub-Advisers. Accordingly, the Independent Board Members considered that each Sub-Adviser may benefit from research provided by broker-dealers executing portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund. With respect to any fixed income securities, however, the Board recognized that such securities generally trade on a principal basis that does not generate soft dollar credits. Similarly, the Board recognized that any research received pursuant to soft dollar arrangements by the Sub-Advisers may also benefit the Fund and shareholders to the extent the research enhanced the ability of the Sub-Advisers to manage the Fund. The Independent Board Members noted that the Sub-Advisers’ profitability may be somewhat lower if they had to acquire any such research services directly.

Based on their review, the Independent Board Members concluded that any indirect benefits received by a Fund Adviser as a result of its relationship with the Fund were reasonable and within acceptable parameters.

 

	52			Nuveen Investments

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F.

Other Considerations

The Independent Board Members did not identify any single factor discussed previously as all-important or controlling. The Board Members, including the Independent Board Members, concluded that the terms of each Advisory Agreement were fair and reasonable, that the respective Fund Adviser’s fees were reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund and that the Advisory Agreements be renewed.

 

Nuveen Investments			53

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Notes

 

 

	54			Nuveen Investments

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Notes

 

 

Nuveen Investments			55

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Nuveen Investments:

Serving Investors for Generations

Since 1898, financial advisors and their clients have relied on Nuveen Investments to provide dependable investment solutions through continued adherence to proven, long-term investing principles. Today, we offer a range of high quality equity and fixed-income solutions designed to be integral components of a well-diversified core portfolio.

Focused on meeting investor needs.   Nuveen Investments provides high-quality investment services designed to help secure the long-term goals of institutional and individual investors as well as the consultants and financial advisors who serve them. Nuveen Investments markets a wide range of specialized investment solutions which provide investors access to capabilities of its high-quality boutique investment affiliates – Nuveen Asset Management, Symphony Asset Management, NWQ Investment Management Company, Santa Barbara Asset Management, Tradewinds Global Investors, Winslow Capital Management and Gresham Investment Management. In total, Nuveen Investments managed $230 billion as of June 30, 2015.

Find out how we can help you.   To learn more about how the products and services of Nuveen Investments may be able to help you meet your financial goals, talk to your financial advisor, or call us at (800) 257-8787. Please read the information provided carefully before you invest. Investors should consider the investment objective and policies, risk considerations, charges and expenses of any investment carefully. Where applicable, be sure to obtain a prospectus, which contains this and other relevant information. To obtain a prospectus, please contact your securities representative or Nuveen Investments, 333 W. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.   Learn more about Nuveen Funds at: www.nuveen.com/cef

Distributed by    Nuveen Securities, LLC    |    333 West Wacker Drive    |    Chicago, IL 60606    |    www.nuveen.com/cef

 

ESA-C-0615D        10015-INV-B-08/16

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Item 2. Code of Ethics.

Not applicable to this filing.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable to this filing.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not applicable to this filing.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable to this filing.

Item 6. Schedule of Investments.

(a) See Portfolio of Investments in Item 1.

(b) Not applicable.

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to this filing.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to this filing.

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable.

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to this item.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a)

The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

(b)

There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12. Exhibits.

File the exhibits listed below as part of this Form.

(a)(1) Any code of ethics, or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy the Item 2 requirements through filing of an exhibit: Not applicable to this filing.

(a)(2) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) in the exact form set forth below: See EX-99.CERT attached hereto.

(a)(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.23c-1) sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons: Not applicable.

(b) If the report is filed under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, provide the certifications required by Rule 30a-2 (b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)), Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-14(b) or 240.15d-14(b)), and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350) as an Exhibit. A certification furnished pursuant to this paragraph will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78r), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registration specifically incorporates it by reference: See EX-99.906 CERT attached hereto.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

(Registrant) Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund

 

By (Signature and Title)		/s/ Kevin J. McCarthy
		Kevin J. McCarthy
		Vice President and Secretary

Date: September 8, 2015

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By (Signature and Title)		/s/ Gifford R. Zimmerman
		Gifford R. Zimmerman
		Chief Administrative Officer
		(principal executive officer)

Date: September 8, 2015

 

By (Signature and Title)		/s/ Stephen D. Foy
		Stephen D. Foy
		Vice President and Controller
		(principal financial officer)

Date: September 8, 2015